Indian Army Mulling Fast Track Procedure To Procure 16,000 Light Machine Guns For Meeting Critical Shortfall 

Following a deal to purchase 72,400 US-made assault rifles under the fast track procedure (FTP), the Indian Army is now considering the same mechanism to acquire 16,000 new light machine guns (LMG) to equip its troops, reports Hindustan Times.

The FTP is generally invoked in instances where there is an ‘undue/unforeseen delay’ in purchasing weaponry which causes an adverse impact on the military’s fighting capabilities and preparedness.

According to an official, teams of the Indian Army will visit several foreign manufacturers, including firms in the US, Bulgaria and South Korea, in the next few weeks to start the process of purchasing the LMGs.

In recent years, several tenders for LMGs have ended up being scrapped due to the fact that only one vendor was able to meet the army’s requirements. India’s defence acquisition policy disallows procurement in such cases where only a single vendor is available.

“Previous attempts to buy LMGs have not come to fruition. It’s important to compress the acquisition process as is being done under the FTP route. It’s a critical shortfall in capability that is now being addressed on priority,” stated former army vice chief Lieutenant General AS Lamba (retd).

The army currently needs to meet a requirement of some 40,000 LMGs. It is looking to purchase weapons with a 7.62mm x 51mm specification, having an effective range of a minimum 800 metres.