Vidhwansak

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Vidhwansak
Vidhwansak.jpg
Vidhwansak Anti Material Rifle (AMR)
TypeAnti-material rifle
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2007 -
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Designed2005
ManufacturerOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
ProducedFebruary 2007[1]
Specifications (14.5 mm variant)
Mass29 kg
Length2 m
Barrel length1.2 m
Calibre12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm
Barrels8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type, 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type
ActionManual Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Muzzle velocity1,080 m/s
Effective firing range1,800 m
Maximum firing range2,300 m
Feed system3-round magazine[2][3]
Sights8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "The Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. 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.[5]

Development[]

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[6] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[5] Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[7] These were supplied by October 2008.[8] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][5] 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][5]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 12 to 15  kg.[5] 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. 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 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version),[5] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.

Variants[]

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm - by replacing the barrel, bolt and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[5][12]

Specifications[]

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[5][12]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight 25 kg 29 kg 26 kg
Overall Length 1.7 m 2.015 m 1.795 m
Barrel 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle 1: 390 mm 1 : 420 mm 1 : 560 mm
Sights 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s 1,080 m/s 720 m/s
Range 1,800 m 2,300 m 1,300 m

Users[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. ^ "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. ^ a b "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. ^ G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Vidhwansak AMR". Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  6. ^ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  7. ^ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  8. ^ "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  9. ^ "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22.
  10. ^ Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  11. ^ Correspondent, Special (2020-08-14). "New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  12. ^ a b "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.

External links[]

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