BSF gets first lot of fully indigenised rifle grenades

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12

Border Security Force received the first consignment if fully indigenised 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) ammunition produced by Ammunition Factory, Khadki in Pune, on Wednesday. The grenade is fired from a launcher fitted under the barrel of the 5.56 mm INSAS rifle.

The advantages of 40 mm UBGL ammunition vis-a-vis traditional hand grenade are as that it is Iightweight and is also very safe while carrying by troops. Its range is 400 metre as compared to 30 metre of the hand lobbed get.

The UBGL ammunition has four variants for different purposes, including a rocket propelled one and one for practice.

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.

The 40 mm UBGL ammunition is designed and manufactured by the Ammunition Factory, an establishment of state run Ordnance Factory Board, with the components sourced from the Indian Industry.

This ammunition was being imported by the Army as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for use by the Central Armed Police Forces. Thus, there was a perceived need to indigenise the design and manufacture the said ammunition.

Earlier, MK Mohapatra, Senior General Manager, Ammunition Factory, had handed over the Inspection Note of the 40 mm UBGL (Practice) manufactured at the factory, to Ashok Kumar Jha, Deputy Inspector General, BSF, on August 4.