India's "Colonel Kalashnikov" and the ASMI: A Testament to Indigenous Defence Innovation

India celebrates National Technology Day yesterday with a spotlight on two major defence advancements: the development of the indigenous 9mm machine pistol, ASMI, and ongoing progress in nuclear technology.

The ASMI, short for "pride, self-respect, and hard work" in Sanskrit, is the brainchild of Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Bansod, dubbed India's "Colonel Kalashnikov" after the legendary Russian firearms designer.

Lt Col Bansod's remarkable achievement in designing and developing the ASMI in just 53 days, with support from the Indian Army and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), marks a turning point in India's quest for self-reliance in defense technology.

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The Need for ASMI​

For decades, the Indian Armed Forces relied heavily on imported weapons, often paying exorbitant prices and facing potential supply disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions. The obsolescence of the World War II-era Sterling SMG further emphasized the need for a domestically produced alternative.

The ASMI Advantage​

The ASMI is a lightweight and cost-effective machine pistol, designed to meet the specific needs of Indian security forces. With a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute and an effective range of 100 meters, it is a formidable weapon that has already garnered interest from the National Security Guard (NSG) and various state police forces.

Beyond its technical capabilities, the ASMI story is one of innovation, determination, and institutional support. Lt Col Bansod's unconventional background in arts, coupled with his extensive operational experience, highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent within the armed forces.

A Turning Point for Indigenous Defence​

The ASMI project exemplifies the growing potential for domestic innovation in the Indian defense sector. It also serves as a testament to the government's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to reduce dependence on foreign imports and boost indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

The ASMI's success not only strengthens India's national security but also opens up potential export opportunities, particularly in the South East Asian region and beyond. This achievement could pave the way for further breakthroughs in defense technology, showcasing India's growing prowess on the global stage.

The Road Ahead​

As India continues to invest in research and development, the ASMI is just the beginning of what promises to be a new era of indigenous defense innovation.

With a supportive system in place, the country is poised to unlock the full potential of its talented engineers and scientists, contributing to a stronger, more self-reliant India.

 

[Boomeranger]

JVPC is 10 times much better with rifle ammos of 5.56x30mm better range and better accuracy also! ASMI is just a replacement for 9mm Uzi's..

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Incentivise desi R&D, results will be astonishing.

 

[SK]

I hope that CAPFs & State Police forces will replace their Old-Sterling MSGs with ASMI SMG as it's also Logistically more suitable due to common ammo 9x19mm.

I hope that Indian-Military will order Glock-17 from CMT Pvt Ltd to replace the ageing Browing Hi-Power Pistols.

 

[SK]

JVPC is 10 times much better with rifle ammos of 5.56x30mm better range and better accuracy also! ASMI is just a replacement for 9mm Uzi's..

Isn't 9x19mm Ammo readily available with Security forces but that's not the case with 5.56x30mm?

Isn't it economically more suitable for Security forces to switch from Sterling SMG to ASMI SMG as ammo is the same?

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

TheASMI handle is a cheap poorly designed and needs to be redesigned like JVPC or other foreign carbines .

 

[Kira]

That is because of OFB and it's culture of Marxist slow development,and hence production of a SMG from WW2 for decades.