INSAS stands for Indian small arm system. It is an indigenous design of India. It was replacement of Indian military’s standard SLR rifles. It is chambered for standard NATO 5.56×45 mm ammunition. The project started in 1990 SITE by DRDO. It was in production in 2000. It was also exported to Nepal in discounted rates. It initially had some problems with it’s transparent magazines on very low temperature ((Like Siachen)), which were corrected latter.
INSAS project included
- Assault rifle.
- Carbine
- LMG
- Excalibur ( Advanced carbine with optics )
INSAS is neither an invention nor premium product. It is a perfect design which is inspired by many popular guns, some of them are still in service. It may not be sophisticated but it is found effective in Kargil.

In the image you are viewing INSAS MK-1 with passive night vision optics on top

Some of features of this gun are: “Its AK family design” and Polycrystalline transparent magazines.
Description of gun. ((Source))
Caliber (mm) | 5.56 | |
Muzzle velocity (m/s) | 900 | |
Length of Rifle (mm) | Without Bayonet | 960 |
With Bayonet | 1110 | |
Weight of rifle (Kg)Without Magazine & Bayonet | 4.15 | |
Effective range (m) | 400 | |
Range for Grenade (m) | Multi mode | 200 |
M36 | 150 | |
Magzine Capacity (Rounds) | 20 | |
Cyclic Rage (Rounds/min) | 600 | |
Trigger Pull (kg) | 2.10 – 4.00 | |
Recoil Energy (Joules) | 4.43 | |
Barrel Groove | 6 Grooves R.H1 in 200 mm. | |
Sight | Fore sight | Post Type |
Rear sight | Aperture | |
Type of fire | Single, 3 Round brust |
For more info:
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
how many excaliber rifles are in service with the indian armed forces?
the pics of the INSAS variants are damn impressive,mate.
Really like this post, thanks for writing.