New Delhi, July 9

Weeks after the Army rejected an indigenously built assault rifle, the government has decided to speed up the procurement process for over 1.85 lakh high-calibre guns to replace the ageing INSAS rifles.The Army has been pressing for fast-tracking the supply of the 7.62×51 mm guns and particularly sought immediate procurement of at least 65,000 rifles to enhance its fire power in border areas.Already nearly 20 gun manufacturers, including a number of foreign entities, have responded to the request for information (RFI) for the assault guns and steps are being taken to speed up the procurement process, official sources said.Last month, the Army rejected the 7.62×51 mm guns built by the state-run Rifle Factory, Ichapore, citing poor quality and ineffective fire power. The Army is badly in need of the assault rifles and the contract for the guns is likely to be finalised in next few months. Sources said there were “excessive number of faults” in the guns manufactured by the rifle factory and “complete redesigning of the magazine” was needed. — PTI