Weapons Used in the Indian Armed Forces

Weapons Used in the Indian Armed Forces

Introduction

Weapons are the backbone of a military’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The Indian Armed Forces use a wide variety of weapons to ensure national security—ranging from basic rifles to advanced strategic missile systems. These weapons are deployed across the Army, Navy, and Air Force to counter both conventional and modern threats.

1. Small Arms and Infantry Weapons

These are the primary weapons used by soldiers during ground combat operations.

Indian Army

• INSAS Rifle – Legacy rifle, now being replaced.
  
  
• AK-203 – Modern 7.62mm assault rifle manufactured in India with Russian collaboration.
  
  
• Sig Sauer 716i – Advanced battle rifle for frontline troops.
  
  
• Tavor X95 (TAR-21) – Compact rifle used by special forces.
  
  
• PKM/Negev – Light machine guns for suppressive fire.
  
  
• Glock 17, Sig Sauer P226 – Pistols for officers and special units.
  
  
• Carl Gustaf M3 – Multi-role anti-tank weapon.
  
  

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2. Artillery and Rocket Systems

Artillery provides vital firepower support during long-range combat.

• Bofors FH-77B – 155mm howitzer with legendary battlefield success.
  
  
• Dhanush – Indigenous upgraded Bofors-type gun.
  
  
• K9 Vajra-T – Self-propelled 155mm howitzer based on K9 Thunder.
  
  
• Pinaka MBRL – Indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher.
  
  
• Smerch – Russian long-range MBRL (90 km+).
  
  

3. Tanks and Armored Vehicles

• T-90 Bhishma – India’s main battle tank, powerful and reliable.
  
  
• T-72 Ajeya – Aging but still in service in some formations.
  
  
• Arjun MBT – Indigenous heavy tank with advanced fire control.
  
  
• BMP-2 Sarath – Infantry combat vehicle, amphibious and versatile.

4. Missile Systems

India deploys a wide variety of missile systems—both strategic and tactical.

Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)

• Akash – Indigenous medium-range SAM.
  
  
• Spyder – Quick-reaction missile system from Israel.
  
  
• Barak-8 – Advanced naval air defense missile developed with Israel.
  
  
• S-400 Triumf –  NEW ADDITION
  
  

 S-400 Triumf: Game-Changer in Air Defense

• Origin: Russia
  
  
• Type: Long-range surface-to-air missile system
  
  
• Range: 400 km (can track and shoot down fighter jets, cruise missiles, and even ballistic missiles)
  
  
• Capability: Can simultaneously engage 36 targets using 4 different types of missiles.
  
  
• Deployment: Currently deployed in key strategic zones including the Indo-China border and national capital region.
  
  
• The S-400 is considered one of the best air defense systems in the world, significantly boosting India’s ability to counter aerial threats.

Ballistic Missiles

• Agni Series (Agni I–V) – Strategic missiles with nuclear capability, range up to 5,000+ km.
  
  
• Prithvi Series – Tactical battlefield ballistic missiles.
  
  
• Shaurya – Hypersonic missile with high maneuverability.
  
  

Cruise Missiles

• BrahMos – Supersonic cruise missile, deployed by all three services.
  
  
• Nirbhay – Subsonic cruise missile with stealth and terrain-following capability.
  
  

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5. Naval Weaponry

Missiles & Torpedoes

• BrahMos – Deployed on destroyers and submarines.
  
  
• Varunastra – Indigenous heavyweight torpedo.
  
  
• Barak-1/Barak-8 – Air defense missiles for warships.
  
  
• RBU-6000 – Anti-submarine rocket launchers.
  
  

Naval Guns

• AK-630 CIWS – Close-in weapon system.
  
  
• 76mm OTO Melara – Rapid-fire gun used on frigates and destroyers.

Air-to-Air Missiles

• Astra – Indigenous beyond-visual-range missile.
  
  
• Meteor – Long-range European missile (used by Rafale).
  
  
• R-73, R-77 – Russian short- and medium-range AAMs.
  
  

Air-to-Ground and Precision Weapons

• SPICE 2000 – Precision-guided bomb used in Balakot airstrike.
  
  
• BrahMos-A – Air-launched cruise missile.
  
  
• Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) – Deployed by Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000.
  
  

7. Drones and Unmanned Systems

• Heron, Searcher – Israeli surveillance drones.
  
  
• Rustom-II (Tapas) – Indigenous medium-altitude, long-endurance drone.
  
  
• Combat Drones (under development) – Ghatak UCAV project and AI-enabled swarm drones.
  
  

8. Electronic & Cyber Warfare Systems

• EW suites for aircraft, tanks, and ships.
  
  
• Cyber Defense Corps under Defence Cyber Agency.
  
  
• AI and satellite integration for real-time target acquisition and command control.
  
  

Conclusion

The Indian Armed Forces are well-equipped with a wide array of cutting-edge weapons to defend the nation. With the integration of systems like the S-400, advanced missiles, and indigenous projects like Astra, BrahMos, and Arjun, India is enhancing both self-reliance and strategic strength.