Infantry: October 9, 2001

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The Indian Army has tried to develop its own rifle in 5.56mm (NATO SS109) caliber. The problem is that the INSAS rifle is unreliable (more so in cold weather), costs four times as much as an AK47, and production has been slow. The Indian Army will probably have to buy more AK47s in order to meet its needs. India has tried (and failed) to develop many domestic weapons. The government, of course, would rather spend money for weapons at its own factories and have something to export.--Stephen V Cole