New Delhi: Lokesh Machines Limited has delivered its first major order of the indigenously developed Asmi submachine gun (SMG) to the Indian Army’s Northern Command. Consisting of 550 SMGs, the delivery of this order marked the entry of the Hyderabad-based manufacturer, traditionally focused on CNC machines, into the small arms manufacturing sector.
Representing a significant milestone in India’s push toward domestic production of advanced military hardware, the timely delivery of the order is a landmark achievement for India’s private defence manufacturing sector. It is the first time a private, 100% indigenous manufacturer has met such a requirement.
The order was executed “on time and in full”, Lokesh Machines announced. The consignment was officially flagged off by Major General Rakesh Manocha, General Officer Commanding of the Telangana and Andhra sub-area, highlighting the importance of the achievement for India’s defence sector.
The gun Asmi SMG, which stands for “pride” in Sanskrit, marks Lokesh Machines’ entry into the defence sector, specifically small arms production. Developed by Lokesh Machines based on the design provided by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Army, the gun Asmi SMG weighs under 2.4 kg. It is notably 10-15% lighter than its international competitors making it a highly competitive option for close-quarters combat.
“Asmi beat competition from internationally renowned SMGs such as Uzi, which is manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), and German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch’s M to bag the order,” M Srinivas, Director of Lokesh Machines said. The lighter weight of the Asmi SMG was a key factor in its selection, positioning it as a formidable alternative to its global counterparts.
Lokesh Machines Limited’s successful delivery of the Asmi SMG highlights India’s continued focus on developing indigenous defence capabilities, a move that aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative. Representing a strong partnership between government research and private industry to achieve this goal, the collaboration between ARDE and Lokesh Machines underscores a shift toward self-reliance in defence production, reducing dependency on foreign arms suppliers.
The involvement of Lokesh Machines in the production of military equipment, the timely and full delivery of 550 Asmi SMGs to the Northern Command sets a new benchmark for private-sector contributions to India’s defence industry. As India continues to push for self-reliance in defence, the Asmi SMG success could serve as a model for future projects and inspire further collaboration between private manufacturers and the military. Thus, opening up new opportunities for indigenous defence production.
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