F-INSAS: Difference between revisions

{{Use British English|date=March 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

'''F-INSAS''' is India's programme to equip its infantry with state-of-the-art equipment, F-INSAS standing for '''F'''uture '''In'''fantry '''S'''oldier '''A'''s a '''S'''ystem.<ref name="india-defence">{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports/3269|title=Indian Army To Invest in F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier as a System) Programme|accessdate=2008-05-31|publisher=India Defence}}</ref><ref name="indiadefencereview">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/f-insas-programme-future-infantry-soldier-as-a-system-a-reality-check/|title=Indian Army To Invest in F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier as a System) Programme|accessdate=2008-05-31|publisher=India Defence Review}}</ref> However the Indian Army has decided to drop the F-INSAS program in favour of two separate projects. The new program will have two components: one to arm the future infantry soldier with the best available assault rifle, carbines and personal equipment, such as helmets and bulletproof vests. The second component is the Battlefield Management Systems (BMS).<ref name="F-INSAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/11907/Indian_Army_to_Break_up_Future_Soldier_Program_into_Two_Parts#.VbTDJ0vraSE|title=Indian Army to Break up Future Soldier Program into Two Parts|accessdate=2015-07-26|publisher=Defense World}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

F-INSAS has been taken up to equip Indian [[infantry]] with advanced weaponry, communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield conceived in 1994.<ref name="indiastrategic">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/f-insas-programme-future-infantry-soldier-as-a-system-a-reality-check/ |title=F-Insas Programme: Future Infantry Soldier As A System – A Reality Check|accessdate=2008-05-31|publisher=India Defense Review|author=Brig BS Chauhan|date=11 November 2022}}</ref> This program is similar to the [[Future Soldier|future soldier]] programs of other nations. F-INSAS includes a fully networked all-terrain, all-weather personal-equipment platform, enhanced firepower and mobility for the digitalised battlefield of the future. The weight carried by soldiers will need to be reduced by at least 50%.<ref name="indiatimes">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-05-03/india/28344006_1_communication-systems-indian-soldier-combat-efficiency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317225327/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-05-03/india/28344006_1_communication-systems-indian-soldier-combat-efficiency|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2011|title=Kalam vision: A hi-tech Indian soldier|date=3 May 2004|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>

The intention is to equip the soldiers<ref name="bharatrakshak">{{cite web|url=http://media.bharat-rakshak.com/DefExpo08/Users/RajMalhotra/DSC00108.JPG.html |title=Picture of soldier equipped with F-INSAS |date=17 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-06-01 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401003735/http://media.bharat-rakshak.com/DefExpo08/Users/RajMalhotra/DSC00108.JPG.html |archivedate=1 April 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The weapons sub-system is built around a multi-calibre individual weapon system with the fourth calibre attached to a [[grenade]] launcher. These include a 5.56&nbsp;mm, a 7.62&nbsp;mm and a new 6.8&nbsp;mm under development for the first time in India. The UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) will be capable of firing air bursting grenades. The sub-system includes a thermal weapon sight and laser range finder to provide the soldier with range and direction information. The [[IRNSS]] (similar to [[GPS]] or [[GLONASS]]) location information will allow the soldier to call for indirect fire accurately. There are two types of next generation infantry rifle under development in cooperation with Israel. In this context, news sources report that the Indian MoD has recently issued a global tender for the acquisition of a new assault rifle and a Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine.<ref name="a-tech.com">{{cite web|title=Future infantry: unravelling the Indian Army's F-INSAS programme|url=http://www.army-technology.com/features/featurefuture-infantry-unravelling-the-indian-armys-f-insas-programme/|publisher=army-technology.com|accessdate=26 June 2022}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2022}}

In DEFXPO 2014 a prototype of the ARDE-DRDO MCIWS ([[Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System]]) was showcased. It is lighter than the existing INSAS rifles in the Indian Armed Forces, weighing only 3&nbsp;kg. It features an UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) as well as thermal sights or plain holographic sights & Red dot sights. Laser target it has multiple picatinny rails to facilitate various add-on equipments needed for various missions and thus improving versatility. And many other terrain, operation & mission based weapons as per requirement.

The soldier will be equipped with a USB 2.0 digital data bus, Palmtop [[IRNSS]]/GPS navigation device, secured advance audio communication set, advance electronic warfare data manager, secured network connection where each radio can subscribe to two networks simultaneously. This offers the squad leader some flexibility in organizing communication networks in his section. Each network has an audio conference channel, with priority given to the squad leader, an alert channel from the infantryman to his leader, and a data transmission channel. Voice and data transmissions are based on tried and tested civilian technology (domestic cordless telephone technology). Each sub-network works from a base carried by the squad leader. As RIF sets are all identical, a soldier can replace his commander if necessary by configuring his set as base. The radio is configured by the computer, thereby limiting the number of control buttons needed on the set. The soldier might be able to communicate with other soldiers and locate or generate maps to find his location, and he will be aware of the situation on the battlefield. The palmtop will inform soldiers where other friendly forces are in relation to them. It will also enable them to transfer messages. Terrain equipment for various specific missions will also be carried.<ref name="theindianexpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/228312._.html|title=It's possible for us to have military history written without carrying sensitive material.|date=15 October 2007|accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref>

With the intent to retain its strategic autonomy, self-reliance and indigenisation of the program is being emphasised.<ref name="indiastrategic" /> Most of the equipment is being locally developed by the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) and the [[Ordnance Factories Board]] as the prime developer and the system integrator respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Indias-futuristic-soldier-to-be-ready-in-three-years/articleshow/19061002.cms|title=India's futuristic soldier to be ready in three years|work=The Times of India|accessdate=12 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/172/ordnance-factory-rises-up-to-meet-the-demand-of-indian-armed-forces.html |title=Ordnance Factory Rises up to meet the Demand of Indian Armed Forces |access-date=14 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213249/http://www.defencenow.com/news/172/ordnance-factory-rises-up-to-meet-the-demand-of-indian-armed-forces.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/11907/Indian_Army_to_Break_up_Future_Soldier_Program_into_Two_Parts|title=Indian Army to Break up Future Soldier Program into Two Parts|work=defenseworld.net|accessdate=12 December 2022}}</ref>