The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has received its first order of indigenously-designed and manufactured 40-millimetre Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL). The Ammunition Factory, Khadki (AFK), Pune delivered the consignment.
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“Inspired by the Prime Minister’s clarion call for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune, wrote a new chapter on self-reliance and indigenization of 40 mm UBGL ammunition production on August 11 by sending the first consignment to Border Security Force,” it said in a release.
This ammunition is fired from a launcher fitted under the barrel of 5.56 mm Rifle (INSAS), it added. The release also stated the advantages of 40 mm UBGL ammunition as against traditional hand grenade.
“It is lightweight, it can be fired by the same equipment by the soldier, and it is also very safe ammunition for carrying by the soldiers.” The ammunition is manufactured in four types: UBGL Practice, UBGL High Explosive Dual Purpose, UBGL High Explosive Anti Personnel, and UGBL Red Phosphorus. The UBGL, which has a separate trigger, can also be mounted on the AK-47.
A standalone version also exists. Some modifications are required to the front part of the weapon to mount the UBGL.
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Chairman Hari Mohan and Mohapatra flagged off the first consignment of 40 mm UBGL (Practice) to BSF in the presence of senior officers of OFB, AFK and members of JCM, works committee and workers’ unions and employees’ associations.
The 40mm UBGL is one of the 101 ammunition items that made it to the import embargo list of defence systems or platforms, announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
As reported earlier by EurAsian Times, in an effort to embrace indigenization and support in-house defence manufacturing, the Indian government made a historical decision, self-imposing an embargo on 101 defence impedimenta to create a safe environment for indigenous companies to realize the goal of “Aatm-Nirbhar Bharat” in the defence sector.
