Vidhwansak
Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle developed by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.
Last updated
It can be used against enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, and communication equipment.[1] The Vidhwansak, whose name in Sanskrit means "Destroyer", is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli and developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with development occurring in November 2005.[1][2]
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
- Calibers
- 12.7 mm / 0.5 in
- 14.5 mm / 0.571 in
- 20 mm / 0.787 in
- Effective range
- 1800 m (1300 m for the 20 mm (0.787 in) version)
- Maximum range
- 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
- Magazine capacity
- Detachable box magazine inserted from the left side
- Weight per pack
- 12 to 15 kg (each of two man-portable packs)
- Cost
- Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as of 2011
Facts from the source article.
How it changed
User trials began in March 2006 after all-terrain and all-weather trials were completed.[2] Manufacturing of the 14.5 mm and 20 mm versions started in February 2007.[2][3] The Border Security Force placed an order for 100 Vidhwansaks for border areas, and deliveries were completed by October 2008.[4][5]
What the maker and period sources say
A 2007 Oneindia.in report stated that the Vidhwansak weapon in 14.5 mm caliber had a maximum range of 1800 metres, while the 20 mm version had 1300 metres.[3] The same report noted that production of both varieties began in February 2007 and the Border Security Force had placed an order for 100 pieces.[3] A 2008 Oneindia.in article described the weapon as capable of interchangeability among three calibers (12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm), with the changing process taking less than 30 seconds.[5]
References
- Wikipedia, "Vidhwansak" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: G. Prasad, "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us", The Hindu, 2006-03-20; "Small Arms of the Indian State - A Century of Procurement and Production", www.files.ethz.ch; "Vidhwansak AMR", Indian Military (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Vidhwansak" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Girja Shankar Kaura, "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines", The Tribune, 2006-02-05; "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India"; "Vidhwansak AMR", Indian Military (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons", Oneindia.in, 2007-03-19. facts only, no text reused. oneindia.com
- Wikipedia, "Vidhwansak" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF", The Hindu, 2008-02-15; "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT", Oneindia.in, 2008-02-15; "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons", Oneindia.in, 2007-03-19; "Vidhwansak AMR", Indian Military; "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles", The Economic Times (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT", Oneindia.in, 2008-02-15. facts only, no text reused. oneindia.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Vidhwansak (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Vidhwansak (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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