In what is being hailed as a "major leap for India’s defence sector", Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, a unit of the Ordnance Factory Organisation under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, will export advanced modified medium machine guns (MMGs) to European countries. This is the first time such an order will be delivered by SAF.
According to a News18 report, SAF received a major order for 2,000 MMGs, which will be delivered in the next three years.
The order was reportedly received a few months ago.
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"The gun is being customised in accordance with the requirement of the buyer and the agreement, which was signed in December last year," the report quoted a SAF official as saying.
Designed for sustained fire in military operations, MMGs can fire upto 1,000 rounds per minute. The guns typically fire 7.62mm or .50 caliber ammunition and could be used in various platforms like vehicles, tanks, and aircraft.
The guns deliver sustained high rate of fire in bursts and fires from an open breech, preventing the risk of cook-off after prolonged use, and can also be used on a bipod or handheld for shoulder and hip firing in emergency situations, said an official, according to News18.
Their ability to offer continuous fire over long periods makes them effective in both offensive and defensive operations.
