Commando Tavor Assault Rifle
Posted on 02/27/2007 7:11:39 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Tavor-21 Rifle Headed Into Service With Indian Special Forces
Posted 28-Feb-2007 06:36
In late 2002, India signed a Rs. 880 million (about $20 million) deal with Israel Military Industries for 3,070 TAR-21 Tavor assault rifles, a new bullpup design developed for use by the Israeli Defense Forces. The Israelis had just selected the compact Tavor over the Colt M4/M16 as its next-generation assault rifle, and the compact new weapons would be issued to India's special forces personnel, where its ergonomics, reliability in heat and sand, and and fast-point/ fast-shoot design might give them an edge in close-quarters shootouts and employment from inside vehicles.
Then problems began, in India and in Israel. By 2005, IMI had supplied 350-400 TRA-21s without grenade launchers to India's northern Special Frontier Force (SFF). These were declared to be 'operationally unsatisfactory,' however, due to problems with their foldable butt; meanwhile, Israeli units like the Galatz were voicing complaints of their own. The required changes appear to have been made, however, and the Tavor now looks set to enter operational service within a couple of months - even as India gears up for a larger competition that could feature a 9mm Tavor version...
India continued dealing with IMI even as it split in two and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI assumed the small arms portfolio; in 2005, the government claimed damages for the delayed deliveries, further deferring their arrival.
India Defence relays a report from Jane's Defence Weekly, however, noting that the way has been cleared for fulfillment of the contract. Tests in Israel during 2006 went well, clearing the contracted consignment for delivery. The new TAR-21s will have a 'modified' single-piece butt and new sights, as well as Turkish-made M203 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs). Singapore Technologies will supply the 5.56mm ammunition.
In the meantime, IWI sold around 130 Galat'z (Galil 7.62 sniper riles) and around 450,000 rounds of ammunition to the SFF and the army for $1.4 million in 2005. They have also partnered with India's state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to build the Tavor Micro/ MTAR (9mm version) for India's Special Forces and parachute regiments. The OFB-produced MTAR is now undergoing user trials.
All this would appear to be especially timely, as the Indian Army is reportedly about to release a request for proposal (RFP) to at least 5 local and overseas companies for some 80,000 5.56mm light machine carbines to replace the WW2-era Sten guns still in use by some parts of the army. Technology transfer and licensed production are expected to be part of the requirements.
Variants of the Tavor rifle are currently in use by Israel, Georgia, and the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria.
Commando Tavor Assault Rifle
It looks like something from a sci-fi film.
Yikes... better trade in those swords and chainmail while you're at it...
Resembles the Steyer AUG.
Don't the Indians still have some troops outfitted with the latest Enfield rifles?
A Bull-Pup?
SsWEEeeeeetttt!!!
Don't know. But there may be a lurker who could tell us.
Ironically, Yours is constructed from material similar to the original!
This looks like a good stuff for close quarter combat, what about the long-range capabilities of this rifle?
5.56 ammo good for ~200 yards and in with this bullpup arrangement I would think.
Honestly, for India's frontier regions, the long range and accuracy of Enfield's, plus the stopping power of its round, makes it still a viable weapon there...especially when you consider that in some areas all supplies must be walked in (so every shot counts).
You can get better, obviously, but some things still have value (e.g. canteen, personal combat knife) regardless of age.
Looks like something I shoot with on HALO on my Xbox. Really it does look very much like a Spartan weapon.
A bullpup design has the magazine behind the trigger and pistol grip, rather than in front.
Not a fan of the placement of the magazine.
With a suppressor, it could be quite effective for commando use. I've always wondered about firing 5.56 rounds right at the ear drum ... never fired a bullpup setup.
That's fair enough distance... i just wonder if this different design will be comfortable enough for soldiers who got used with the conventional rifle set-ups like that of M4, M16, AKs and others...i mean that mag in the rear of the trigger area... i just thought it would be quite uncomfortable for me to maneuver with that stuff.
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