F-INSAS

Context

The F-INSAS project

• F-INSAS or the Future Infantry Soldier As a System is an infantry modernisation programme aimed at increasing the operational capability of the soldier.
• As part of the project, soldiers are being equipped with modern systems that are lightweight, all-weather-all-Terrian, cost-effective and low maintenance.
• The full gear of the F-INSAS system includes an AK-203 assault rifle, which is a Russian-origin, gas-operated, magazine-fed, select-fire weapon.
• It has a range of 300 metres and is being built in Korwa near Amethi in Russia-India joint venture.
• A contract for over 6 lakh AK-203 rifles was signed in December last year between the Ministry of Defence and the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).

 F-INSAS hand grenade

• On the weaponry front, the F-INSAS also includes a multi-mode hand grenade.
• In defensive mode, these grenades are to be hurled when the thrower has a cover, while the target is in the open and can be harmed by fragmentation.
• In offensive mode, the grenades do not fragment and the adversary is harmed by the blast or is stunned.
• The weapon kit also has a multi-purpose knife for close-quarters combat.

Ballistic helmets and goggles

• As part of this, the F-INSAS provides soldiers with ballistic helmets and ballistic goggles for protection against small projectiles and fragments, along with a bulletproof vest.
• The helmet and the bulletproof jacket are capable of protecting the soldier against 9 mm bullets and AK-47 ammunition.
• For target acquisition, the soldier gets a rifle-mounted holographic sight for fast and accurate aiming within a 200-metre range.
• The helmet has a mounted night-vision device for operating in low light and the option of installing a thermal imager that can convert infrared energy from objects into thermal images.
• It comes with hands-free, secured communication set for real-time exchange of information with the command post and fellow soldiers.
• All these items have been sourced from Defence Public Sector undertakings and private Indian Industries.
• They have been indigenously designed by the Indian entities, including the DRDO and the ordnance factories ecosystem.

The F-INSAS Vision

• Conceived in the 2000s, F-INSAS is one among many soldier modernisation programmes across the world.
• The US has Land Warrior, while the UK has FIST (Future Integrated Soldier Technology).
• According to estimates, over 20 armies around the World are following such programmes.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed F-INSAS in sync with the targets of the Army's Infantry Soldier Modernisation Programme.
• According to DRDO scientists, similar programmes from the US, France, Germany and Israel were studied for the Indian Project, the quality requirements for which were set by the Army.
• Officials added that research and development efforts are still on the finetune the F-INSAS for all types of conflict scenarios and terrains.

Nipun Mines

• Nipun Mines are indigenously designed and developed anti-personnel mines, termed as "soft target munition" by the DRDO.
• These mines are meant to act as the first line of defence against infiltrators and enemy infantry.
• They have been developed with the efforts of Armament Research and Development Establishment, a Pune-based DRDO facility and Indian industry.
• Anti-personnel mines are meant to be used against humans as against anti-tank mines that are aimed at heavy vehicles.
• They are smaller in size and can be deployed in large numbers.
• The Army has said that Nipun is more effective than the existing anti-personnel mine in its arsenal.

The LCA

• The Landing Craft Assault (LCA) is meant to serve as a replacement for the boats with limited capabilities currently in use in the Pangong Tso Lake.
• The LCA, which has been indigenously developed by Goa-based Aquarius Ship Yard Ltd, is said to have better launch, speed and capacity to operate across water obstacles in eastern Ladakh.
• Similar vessels are already in operation in the Indian Navy.