, has extended critical support to Hyderabad-based M/s dvipa Defence India Pvt. Ltd){kind=link}
APRIL 17: In a major push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Technology Development Board (TDB), has extended critical support to Hyderabad-based M/s dvipa Defence India Pvt. Ltd. (formerly dvipa Armour Pvt. Ltd.). The initiative is part of a larger effort to indigenize India’s small arms ecosystem.
The project, titled “Development and Commercialization of 7.62 mm x 51 mm Assault Rifles,” aims to produce a high-performance indigenous assault rifle—the UGRAM—in line with the Indian Army’s General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR). TDB’s assistance will support the rifle’s development, testing, and commercialization, along with the establishment of a modern, in-house manufacturing facility equipped with integrated quality control and testing capabilities.
India has traditionally relied on imported small arms, leading to significant foreign exchange expenditure and interoperability issues across its defence forces. The aging INSAS rifles have increasingly fallen short of modern combat standards, prompting a policy shift in 2017 to adopt advanced 7.62 mm x 51 mm NATO-grade rifles.
In response, dvipa Defence, incorporated in 2018, quickly emerged as a key domestic player. Among the early recipients of a small arms production license, the company collaborated with DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, to design and develop the UGRAM rifle—aptly named from Sanskrit, meaning “ferocious.” Impressively, five prototypes were developed within 100 days and passed preliminary testing at ARDE.
UGRAM: A Next-Gen, Indigenous Assault Rifle
The UGRAM rifle is a modular, ergonomically designed weapon optimized for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Notable features include:
- Fully indigenous design, materials, and production, all vetted by ARDE-DRDO
- Long-stroke piston system for reliability
- High-strength steel components for durability
- Nylon-based ergonomics: pistol grip, handguard, and buttstock
- Ambidextrous magazine release and side-mounted cocking handle
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak stated, “This project reflects our dedication to indigenizing critical defence technologies in line with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. It marks a step forward in achieving import substitution and export potential.”
The founders of dvipa Defence expressed pride in contributing to India’s strategic autonomy, affirming their commitment to developing world-class defence products, made by Indians, for Indian forces.