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Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.[5] It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping, and ordnance disposal roles.[6]
| Vidhwansak | |
|---|---|
 Vidhwansak Anti Materiel Rifle (AMR) | |
| Type | Anti-material rifle |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli |
| Designed | 2005 |
| Manufacturer | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli |
| Produced | February 2007[1] |
| Specifications (14.5mm variant) | |
| Mass | 29 kg (64 lb) |
| Length | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Barrel length | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Cartridge | 12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm |
| Barrels |
|
| Action | Bolt Action, recoiling barrel |
| Muzzle velocity | 845 m/s (2,770 ft/s), 1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s), 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,800 m (5,900 ft) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,300 m (7,500 ft) |
| Feed system | 3-round detachable box magazine[2][3] |
| Sights | 8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment |
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The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[7] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[6] Production began in February 2007.
After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[8] These were supplied by October 2008.[9] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][6] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[10]
It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011.[11][6] Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved.[12]
Features
Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg (26 to 33 lb).[6] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.
The Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.[citation needed]
The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) (1,300 m (4,300 ft) for the 20 mm version),[6] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The rifle is magazine fed and reloaded through manual bolt action.[13]
Variants
The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers: 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm, this is done by replacing the barrel, bolt, and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[6][14]
Specifications
The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[6][14]
| Ammunition | 12.7×108mm | 14.5×114mm | 20×82mm |
| Weight | 25 kg (55 lb) | 29 kg (64 lb) | 26 kg (57 lb) |
| Overall Length | 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) | 2.015 m (6 ft 7.3 in) | 1.795 m (5 ft 10.7 in) |
| Barrel | 8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) Length, Quick Change Type |
| Pitch of Rifle | 1:390 mm (15 in) | 1:420 mm (17 in) | 1:560 mm (22 in) |
| Sights | 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment | ||
| Muzzle Velocity | 845 m/s (2,770 ft/s) | 1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s) | 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s) |
| Range | 1,800 m (5,900 ft) | 2,300 m (7,500 ft) | 1,300 m (4,300 ft) |
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India:
- Border Security Force (100)[15] and Central Reserve Police Force.[16] The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is seeking to acquire 450 Vidhwansaks for high-altitude operations.[17]
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