Vidhwansak Explained

Vidhwansak
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Origin:India
Type:Anti-material rifle
Is Ranged:yes
Is Uk:yes
Service:2007–present
Used By:See Users
Design Date:2005
Manufacturer:Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Production Date:February 2007
Spec Label:14.5mm variant
Weight:29kg (64lb)
Length:2m (07feet)
Part Length:1.2m (03.9feet)
Cartridge:12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm
Barrels:
  • 8 Grooved, 1.1m (03.6feet) length, Quick Change type
  • 8 Grooved, 1.22m (04feet) Length, Quick Change type
  • Rifling: 1:390mm, 1:420mm, 1:560mm
Action:Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Velocity:845m/s, 1080m/s, 720m/s
Range:1800m (5,900feet)
Max Range:2300m (7,500feet)
Feed:3-round detachable box magazine[1] [2]
Sights:8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "Destroyer")[3] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.[4] It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping, and ordnance disposal roles.

Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[5] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[2] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006. Production began in February 2007.

After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[6] These were supplied by October 2008.[7] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[8] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[9]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011.[10] Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved.[11]

Features

Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12kgto15kgkg (26lbto33lbkg). A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.

The Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.

The rifle has an effective range of 1800m (5,900feet) (1300m (4,300feet) for the 20 mm version), while shots can be achieved even up to 2000m (7,000feet). The rifle is magazine fed and reloaded through manual bolt action.[12]

Variants

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers: 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm, this is done by replacing the barrel, bolt, and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[13]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[14] [13]

Ammunition
Weight 25kg (55lb) 29kg (64lb) 26kg (57lb)
Overall Length 1.7m (05.6feet) 2.015m (06.611feet) 1.795m (05.889feet)
Barrel 8 Grooved, 1.1m (03.6feet) length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1.22m (04feet) Length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1m (03feet) Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle1:390mm 1:420mm 1:560mm
Sights8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity845m/s 1080m/s 720m/s
Range1800m (5,900feet) 2300m (7,500feet) 1300m (4,300feet)

Users

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak. www.sniperselite.com.ar. 2014-08-23. https://archive.today/20140823015909/http://www.sniperselite.com.ar/introvidhwansak.html. 2014-08-23. live.
  2. Web site: Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India. 2014-08-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701121950/http://militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=268. 2014-07-01. live.
  3. Web site: Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us. G. Prasad. 2009-10-13. 2006-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20100626012527/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/20/stories/2006032004440200.htm. 2010-06-26. The Hindu.
  4. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/176291/IAVA-IB4-small-arms-of-indian-state.pdf
  5. Web site: Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines. 2006-02-05. 2009-06-07. Girja Shankar Kaura. The Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20090505050532/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060206/nation.htm#7. 2009-05-05. live.
  6. Web site: Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF. 2009-10-13. 2008-02-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20100626012226/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021553770500.htm. 2010-06-26. The Hindu.
  7. Web site: BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT. 2008-02-15. 2009-06-07. Oneindia.in. https://web.archive.org/web/20120313171942/http://news.oneindia.in/2008/02/15/bsf-ig-satisfied-of-amr-produced-at-oft-1203057214.html. 2012-03-13. live.
  8. Web site: OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons. Oneindia.in. 2009-06-07. 2007-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20120217022809/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/03/19/oft-develops-ultra-modern-futuristic-weapons.html. 2012-02-17. live.
  9. News: Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles. https://web.archive.org/web/20200222154726/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-starts-process-to-purchase-1500-anti-materiel-rifles/articleshow/57944559.cms. 2020-02-22. The Economic Times.
  10. Web site: Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles. 2011-03-17. 2011-01-07. Tehelka. Ritu Sharma. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716203819/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ws070111DEFENCE_II.asp. 2011-07-16. live.
  11. News: Correspondent. Special. 2020-08-14. New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-11-08. 0971-751X.
  12. https://raksha-anirveda.com/indigenously-developed-anti-material-sniper-rifle-vidhwansak-eyes-wider-service-acceptance/
  13. Web site: OFB - Vidhwansak. Ordnance Factory Board. 2009-06-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20090207210950/http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wsc/26.htm. 2009-02-07. live.
  14. Web site: Vidhwansak AMR . Indian Military . https://web.archive.org/web/20100119052702/http://www.indian-military.org/army/small-arms-ammunition-ancillaries/snipers-anti-material-rifles/24-vidhwansak-amr.html . 2010-01-19. 2012-10-19.
  15. Web site: 2008-02-15 . Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100626012226/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021553770500.htm . 2010-06-26 . 2009-10-13 . The Hindu.
  16. Web site: 31 December 2022 . Anti-Material Sniper Rifle of India 'Vidhwansak' AMR . Indian Defence News.
  17. Web site: 2023-02-17 . ITBP seeks 450 high-powered sniper rifles for use in high altitude areas . Tribune India.