Trichy assault rifle

History

Before the TAR, India largely used foreign-made AK-style rifles. Around 500,000 AR-M1s were reportedly imported from Bulgaria in 2021 for the Central Armed Police Forces and Indian police forces. As of May 2025, India was the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, accounting for 8.3% of the arms trade.

To reduce dependence on imports, the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy called for self-sufficiency in firearm manufacture. OFT announced an indigenous AK-based assault rifle in 2011, naming it Trichy after the factory. Some TARs were made in 2012 and tested by the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Sashastra Seema Bal.

Development started in 2015 with a production line established in 2017. That March, 200 TARs were acquired by the Chhattisgarh Police. Prior to manufacture, concerns were raised that OFT was experiencing manpower decline. The All India Defence Employees Federation, the Indian National Defence Workers' Federation, and the Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh opposed importing small arms, hoping more TAR orders would retain employees.

In November 2017, the CRPF conducted field tests firing 15,000 rounds with no jamming reported; other tests involved firing from mud, rain, saltwater, and after being dropped. 100 TARs were ordered. In February 2018, further tests led to an order of 6,167 TARs. In March 2020, the CRPF acquired the first 500 of those.

Design

The Trichy assault rifle offers three firing modes: single shot, burst, and full automatic. According to OFT, police forces in urban environments may use a version restricted to single shot only. Its effective range sits between 300 and 350 meters, but this can reach 500 meters when firing on full automatic. OFT has stated that the TAR performs at a level comparable to the AK-47.

The rifle accepts multiple underbarrel grenade launchers, such as the ARDE UBGL, GP-25, GP-30, and Arsenal M6 UBGL, and also supports bayonets. Magazines come from Nilkamal Limited, and standard AK-47 magazines are compatible as well. Any type of 7.62x39mm ammunition can be used.

Variants

The standard Trichy assault rifle features a fixed stock, though it can also accept a telescopic M4-style stock. A separate variant, the TAR, uses a side-folding stock. In August 2021, a TAR model with a downfolding stock was introduced, which is occasionally described as having an underfolding stock. The TriCa, unveiled in January 2021, weighs 3.17 kilograms and is designed as a compact firearm for vehicle crews, paratroopers, and special forces, with an effective range of 150 to 175 meters.

Its barrel is fitted with a muzzle device that reduces both flash and sound. The TriCa is a clone of the Arsenal AR-M14SF, while its muzzle device is based on the AKS-74U. It is also called the Baby TAR or TAR-3.