Army, DRDO co-develops India's first indigenously-built 9mm Machine Pistol -ASMI

New Delhi, Jan 14: Keeping the vision of Aatmnirbhar Bharat in view, India’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol - ASMI - has been jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army. This significant step will pave way for self-reliance and it is expected that the Services and Paramilitary Forces (PMFs) will induct this expeditiously.

 

 

The weapon, named ASMI, means "Pride", "Self-Respect", and "Hard Work". The weapon has been developed in a record time of four months. Using respective expertise in the complementary areas, Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon.

 

 

"ASMI fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft-grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre. The 3D Printing process has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts including trigger components made by metal 3D printing," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

 

 

ASMI has huge potential in Armed forces as a personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers/dispatch riders, radio/radar operators, Closed Quarter Battle, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations etc. This is also likely to find huge employability with the central and state police organizations as well as VIP protection duties and Policing. It is likely to have a production cost under Rs. 50,000 each and has potential for exports.