PTC Web Desk: Hyderabad-based defence manufacturer Dvipa Defence has taken a significant step in India's indigenous defence programme after its UGRAM 7.62x51 mm battle rifle successfully completed important trials conducted by the Indian Army and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The rifle is now being considered for induction by several Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

The achievement marks another boost to the country's efforts to reduce dependence on imported small arms and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.

Developed with DRDO in a record time

The UGRAM rifle was jointly developed by Dvipa Defence and the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).

According to the company, the rifle was designed and built in just 100 days, making it one of the quickest indigenous weapon development projects undertaken in India.

The weapon has successfully completed Army General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) trials, field evaluations under different weather conditions and MHA Board trials.

CAPFs likely to induct the rifle

Following the successful completion of the testing phase, the rifle is now moving towards procurement by multiple Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, ITBP, SSB and NSG.

The company said the weapon has undergone extensive reliability and endurance testing before reaching this stage.

Dvipa Defence Managing Director Sibu Joseph said the company received its manufacturing licence in 2021 and has since established a modern production facility in Hyderabad on more than 13 acres of land allotted by the Telangana government.

He said the company has developed over 100 indigenous weapon systems and variants in the past few years, with the UGRAM rifle emerging as its flagship product. Joseph added that the company's focus remains on designing and manufacturing advanced defence equipment in India for Indian security forces.

Designed for modern combat

The UGRAM rifle is built around a gas-operated rotating bolt mechanism and weighs under four kg, making it suitable for extended field operations. It has an effective firing range of up to 500 metre and has been developed to meet the operational requirements of security forces.

Founded in 2018, Dvipa Defence has steadily expanded its range of indigenous military products. Along with the UGRAM rifle, the company is working on several other platforms, including assault rifles, sub-machine guns, ultra-light machine guns and anti-drone weapon systems.

Its current portfolio includes the U-19 sub-machine gun, U-45 assault rifle, Ultra-Light Machine Gun (ULMG), the U-39 weapons platform and a weaponised anti-drone system built on the UGRAM platform.