ASMI
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Asmi
| production_date = August 2024 - present
| image_size =
| caption = Asmi 9mm submachine gun
| origin = India
| type = Submachine gun
Machine pistol
| is_ranged = yes
| service = 2024-present
| used_by = Indian Army
Border Security Force
| wars =
| designer = Lt. Colonel Prasad Bansod
| design_date = 2020
| manufacturer = Lokesh Machines Limited
| image = ASMI Configuration.jpg
| variants =
| number = 570
| weight = {{convert|1.7-2|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (empty)
| length = * 382 mm (stock folded)
- 612 mm (stock extended){{Cite news|last=Technology Focus|first=Vol 29, Issue no:5|date=October 2021|title=Small arms and ammunition|work=DRDO|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf}}
| part_length = * {{Convert|7.2|in|mm|adj=on}}
- {{Convert|6.5|in|mm|adj=on}}
| crew =
| cartridge = 9×19mm Parabellum
| caliber =
| action = Straight blowback
| velocity =
| range = 100 m
| max_range =
| feed = 33 round Glock magazine
| sights = Reflex sight{{Cite news|last=Technology Focus|first=Vol 29, Issue no:5|date=October 2021|title=Small arms and ammunition|work=DRDO|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf}}
| unit_cost = est. {{INRConvert|50|k|lk=on|year=2024}}
}}
The ASMI (short for Asmita) is an Indian submachine gun. It was designed and developed in 2020 by the Armament Research and Development Establishment of DRDO.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-14|title=DRDO's Pune facility and Army develop first indigenous 9mm machine pistol 'Asmi'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/drdo-india-pistol-asmi-7146496/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 January 2021|title=DRDO develops ASMI, India's first homegrown Uzi-style personal defence weapon|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/01/13/drdo-develops-asmi-indias-first-homegrown-uzi-style-personal-defence-weapon.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114211527/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/01/13/drdo-develops-asmi-indias-first-homegrown-uzi-style-personal-defence-weapon.html |archive-date=2021-01-14 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=The Week|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Arora |first=Sumit |date=2024-06-20 |title=Indian Army Inducts Indigenous ASMI Submachine Gun: A Pride in Atmanirbhar Bharat |url=https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/indian-army-inducts-indigenous-asmi-submachine-gun-a-pride-in-atmanirbhar-bharat/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=adda247 |language=en-IN}}
ASMI is derived from the Sanskirt word Asmita, which means pride, self-respect, and hard work.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-11 |title=Meet Lt Col Prasad Bansod, Man behind India’s First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2024/05/meet-lt-col-prasad-bansod-man-behind-indias-first-indigenously-developed-9mm-machine-pistol.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |language=en-US}}
Background
The ASMI was designed as a replacement for the 1A Carbine, India's domestically produced copy of the Sterling submachine gun, which has been in service since the 1960s. Alongside the 1A, India is also somewhat reliant on imported submachine guns, such as the Brügger & Thomet MP9, Heckler & Koch MP5 and Uzi. The ASMI will serve as a cheaper alternative to imports, with an Asmi costing only a third as much as an MP5.{{Cite web|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=14 January 2021|title=The Indian Army's 'General Kalashnikov' gives it a new 9 mm sub-machine gun|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-indian-army-s-general-kalashnikov-gives-it-a-new-9-mm-sub-machine-gun-1759202-2021-01-14|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114180222/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-indian-army-s-general-kalashnikov-gives-it-a-new-9-mm-sub-machine-gun-1759202-2021-01-14 |archive-date=2021-01-14 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=India Today|language=en}} In the 2000s, the DRDO developed the Modern Sub Machine Carbine to attempt to replace the 1A, but it failed to meet the military's requirements.
ASMI, which means "pride, self respect and hard work", was first showcased in January 2021, and developed over the course of four months by Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Bansod,{{Cite web|last=Siddiqui|first=Huma|date=2021-01-14|title=Meet Lt Col Prasad Bansod: Infantry School officer behind India's first indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/meet-lt-col-prasad-bansod-infantry-school-officer-behind-indias-first-indigenously-developed-9mm-machine-pistol/2171014/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114110917/https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/meet-lt-col-prasad-bansod-infantry-school-officer-behind-indias-first-indigenously-developed-9mm-machine-pistol/2171014/ |archive-date=2021-01-14 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}} who had previous experience reverse engineering an INSAS rifle to produce a bullpup carbine variant.{{Cite web|title=DASMI - India's first indigenously developed 9mm Machine Pistol|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-s-first-indigenous-machine-pistol-asmi-displayed-by-indian-army-know-its-features/706727}} 3D printing was utilised to make parts of the gun.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=14 January 2021|title=India's First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol|url=http://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1688547|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128023148/https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1688547 |archive-date=2021-01-28 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=pib.gov.in}}
Design
Unlike its predecessor, the Modern Sub Machine Carbine, the ASMI is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, a cartridge already in use in the Indian Army, giving it a major logistical advantage over the MSMC, whose round was purpose built for the design.
Similar to the Uzi, the Asmi is a straight blowback submachine gun with a side-folding stock, a low rate of fire, and its magazine is loaded inside of the pistol grip. The ASMI has two barrel configurations: {{Convert|7.2|in|mm|adj=on}} and {{Convert|6.5 |in|mm|adj=on}} barrel, and has a weight of around {{Convert|2|kg|lb}}.{{Cite news|last=Technology Focus|first=Vol 29, Issue no:5|date=October 2021|title=Small arms and ammunition|work=DRDO|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Army officer develops first indigenous 9 mm 'machine pistol|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/army-officer-develops-first-indigenous-9-mm-machine-pistol-199337|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116095325/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/army-officer-develops-first-indigenous-9-mm-machine-pistol-199337 |archive-date=2021-01-16 |access-date=|website=}}
The upper receiver is made from aluminium, and the lower receiver is made from carbon fiber. The upper receiver has a full-length Picatinny rail, and there are M-LOK slots on the left and right side of the weapon.
Typical for a submachine gun, its main application is for close-quarters combat, where it can be used by heavy weapon detachments, tank and aircraft crews, drivers, and radio or radar operators.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Meet Indian Army's first 9 mm Machine Pistol ASMI|url=https://guardingindia.com/featured/meet-indian-armys-first-9-mm-machine-pistol-asmi/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114143253/https://guardingindia.com/featured/meet-indian-armys-first-9-mm-machine-pistol-asmi/ |archive-date=2021-01-14 |access-date=|website=Guarding India}}
Manufacturing
File:Exercise Shakti - ASMI gun being shown to visiting French soldier.jpg
The ASMI is manufactured by Lokesh Machines Limited. It was showcased at the 7th edition of the International Police Expo in New Delhi on 6 July 2022 and DEFEXPO 2022.
In April 2024, Lokesh Machines has emerged as the L1 contender, beating the likes of PLR Systems and Jindal Defence, to clinch a contract to supply 550 9×19mm ASMI Submachine Pistols to the Para (Special Forces) of the Indian Army. The per unit cost of the gun is around {{INRConvert|50|k|lk=off|year=2024}}. The contract worth {{INRConvert|4.6|c|lk=on|year=2024}} is particularly significant as it marks the first order for an indigenous small arm after the INSAS rifle.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-07 |title=Empowering India’s Defence: The ASMI Revolution |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-empowering-indias-defence-the-asmi-revolution-3448998/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}{{Cite web |author=Deepak Bhadana |editor=Subhajit Sankar Dasgupta |date=2024-04-06 |title=Indigenisation of Indian defence sector gets a 1100 gun boost|url=https://www.news9live.com/india/indigenisation-of-indian-defence-sector-gets-a-1100-gun-boost-2490323 |website=News Nine|language=en-US}} The entire 550 guns were delivered to the Indian Army by 1 October 2024. The consignment was flagged off by Major General Rakesh Manocha, General Officer Commanding of the Telangana and Andhra sub-area.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-01 |title=Lokesh Machines delivers first indigenous submachine guns to Indian Army |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lokesh-machines-delivers-first-indigenous-submachine-guns-to-indian-army/articleshow/113839998.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-10-01 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite news |title=Indian Army gets delivery of 1st indigenous submachine gun |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/indian-army-receives-first-indigenous-submachine-gun-asmi-from-lokesh-machines/amp_articleshow/113827881.cms |access-date=2024-10-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
== Operators ==
- {{flag|India}}
- {{Army|IND}}: 550 delivered to Para (SF) in Northern Command. Delivered by 1 October 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-06-18 |title=Submachine gun made by Hyderabad company set to be inducted by Army |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-based-firm-makes-history-by-arming-indian-army-with-first-indigenous-smg-asmi/articleshow/111073130.cms |access-date=2024-06-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Inducted on 5 November 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=In self-reliance push, Army inducts indigenously developed 'Asmi' machine pistols |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/indian-army-asmi-machine-pistols-self-reliance-atmanirbharta-push-northern-command-2628541-2024-11-05 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=India Today |language=en}}
- Border Security Force: 4 on order for trials.{{Cite web |last=Bharatshakti |first=Team |date=2024-06-16 |title=Indian Army Chooses Lokesh Machines’ ‘ASMI’ Submachine Guns for Northern Command |url=https://bharatshakti.in/indian-army-chooses-lokesh-machines-asmi-submachine-guns-for-northern-command/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Bharat Shakti |language=en-US}}
- National Security Guard: 10 delivered for trials.
- Assam Rifles: 10 delivered for trials.