Trichy assault rifle

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Wikipedia

Trichy assault rifle
Trichy production model
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2017–present
Used byIndia
WarsNaxalite–Maoist insurgency
Production history
DesignerOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India
Designed2011-2015
Unit costOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Produced2017–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (TAR)
3.17 kg (7.0 lb) (TriCa)
Length900 mm (35 in) (Trichy Folding Stock Top)
Barrel length650 mm (25.6 in) (Trichy Folding Stock Top)
Cartridge7.62×39mm
Caliber7.62
ActionGas-operated reloading
Rate of fire600 rounds/min (Full automatic)
Muzzle velocity710–715 m/s (2,330–2,350 ft/s)
Effective firing range300–350 m (330–380 yd) (TAR)
140 m (150 yd) (TriCa)
Maximum firing range150–175 m (164–191 yd) (TriCa)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
SightsScopes with picatinny rail (If customised from order)
References[1][2]

The Trichy assault rifle (TAR), sometimes known as the Tiruchi assault rifle,[3] is an Indian-made assault rifle chambered for the 7.62x39 mm round. The TAR is based on the AR-M1, produced by Bulgarian manufacturer Arsenal AD. Developed between 2011 and 2015, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) began manufacturing TARs in 2017.

The TAR was developed to reduce dependence on imported AR-M1s under the Atmanirbhar Bharat self-reliance policy. The TAR has been adopted by most Indian law enforcement agencies.

History

Background

Prior to the TAR's introduction, India largely used foreign-made AK-style rifles. Around 500,000 M1s were reportedly imported by India from Bulgaria in 2021 for use by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Indian police forces.[4] As of May 2025, India is the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, accounting for 8.3% of the arms trade, according to research data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.[5] To reduce dependence on importing small arms from other countries, part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy called for self-sufficiency to manufacture firearms in India.[6]

OFT announced the manufacture of an indigenous AK-based assault rifle in 2011.[7][8] The AR was named Trichy after OFT to recognise the factory's contribution in developing and manufacturing the rifle.[9] Some TARs were made in 2012 to be tested.[10] These early TARs were tested by the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal.[10]

Development started in 2015[11] with a production line established in 2017.[12][13] That March, 200 TARs were acquired by the Chhattisgarh Police[14] as part of the 216th Ordnance Factories Day celebration.[15] Concerns were raised at the time, prior to manufacture, that OFT was experiencing manpower decline, leading to a decline of employees at the company.[16] The All India Defence Employees Federation, the Indian National Defence Workers' Federation, and the Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh stated their opposition to importing small arms with the unions hoping that more orders for the TAR would be approved, retaining employees at OFT.[16]

A CISF officer practices with the TAR at a shooting range.

Adoption

In November 2017, the CRPF conducted field tests to determine the suitability of the TAR with 15,000 rounds fired[12] at the CRPF Academy in Kadarpur, Haryana with no reports of the rifle jamming.[17] Other tests conducted included the TAR being fired from mud, rain, and saltwater and from being dropped to test reliability and accuracy.[18] 100 TARs were ordered afterwards.[18] In February 2018, further tests were conducted by the CRPF at Jagdalpur, Raipur, Guwahati, and Srinagar with an order of 6,167 TARs placed afterwards.[12] At the time, the CRPF tested the Trichy with the Ghatak, the Joint Venture Protective Carbine and the INSAS1C.[19] In March 2020, the CRPF acquired the first 500 out of 6,167 TARs sold to them.[11]

In January 2019, the TAR was delivered to the BSF, with its Additional Director General Nasir Kamal receiving the first rifle from the Ordnance Factory Board's Director General Saurabh Kumar.[3] It was reported in the same month that the Jharkhand Police would acquire TARs for anti-Naxalite operations.[20] The TAR was displayed for the first time at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi for the 5th International Police Expo and the 4th India Homeland Security Expo.[21] In February 2020, the TAR was on public display at the Defence Expo at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.[22] It was reported at the time that the TAR was offered to the Indian Army.[22] OFT reported in March 2021 that around 11,500 TARs were supplied for a total of Rs 1.60 billion during fiscal year 2020–21.[23]

In January 2021, the TriCa (Trichy Carbine) Carbine was unveiled.[2] Tests were conducted where 2,000 rounds were fired with no stoppages.[4] That August, OFT announced that the TAR could use the ARDE Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, which was presented by OFT general manager Sanjay Dwivedi.[24] A TAR variant with a downfolding stock was presented publicly.[25] This variant was sought out by the Railway Protection Force aside from the CAPFs.[26] In December 2021, the National Security Guard placed an order of 100 TriCa carbines.[27] On April 2022, the Kerala Police (KP) ordered 92 TriCa carbines.[28] According to OFT, the Greyhounds unit ordered 44 TARs.[28] In July 2022, the Government of Kerala received a request from KP to procure 250 TARs with side folding stocks;[29] they received the TriCa carbines in May 2025.[30] According to the Advanced Weapons and Equipment India's (AWEIL) 2022–2023 Annual Report, the National Security Guard and the Andhra Pradesh Police conducted tests on both the TAR and the TriCa carbine.[31]

In January 2023, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) received TARs manufactured from Rifle Factory Ishapore.[32] That April, Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt visited OFT, where he witnessed the TAR being manufactured in the factory while briefed on OFT's research and development work.[33] The following January, BSF procured further TARs featuring bayonets.[34] The Government of Kerala published an approved plan for the KP to acquire 30 TARs.[35] In November 2023, the Trichy was on display at the Dasara Exhibition in Mysore, Karnataka as part of an effort to raise awareness on crime and public safety.[36] In a July 2024 interview with Rajesh Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director of AWEIL, he said that the TAR continues to be in demand with CAPFs and reported that an export order was made for the rifle.[37] In May 2025, it was reported that the Assam Forest Department and the Central Bureau of Narcotics made orders for the TriCa carbine.[30]

Development

Initial versions of the TAR were produced by using FN FAL-based receivers and were using 7.62x39mm magazines.[8] In 2012, there were reports that the prototypes jammed during testing due to the rate of fire being 800 rounds per minutes instead of 600 rounds per minute to match with the AK-47.[10] It was initially expected that the rate of fire would be at 650 rounds per minute.[10]

The current version of the TAR is based on the AR-M1[38] with a machined receiver instead of stamped sheet to ensure the rifle has high accuracy and reliability.[18] The TAR can be outfitted with picatinny rails on the upper handguard to attach scopes if requested.[18]

Combat Use

In July 2021, it was reported that the TARs used by the Kerala Police are effective in Naxalite-Maoist counterinsurgency operations.[39]

On August 2025, a TAR was secured from pro-Maoist communist Naxalite fighters in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.[40]

Design

The TAR can fire with single, burst and full automatic mode.[15][41] OFT reported that the TAR can be adopted with single shot mode only for police forces in cities and urban areas.[1] While it has an effective range of 300 to 350 meters,[15][42] the range can be up to 500 meters if the rifle is used in full auto.[15]

OFT claimed that the TAR is functionally on par with the AK-47.[22]

Accessories

The TAR can be equipped with several underbarrel grenade launchers, including the ARDE UBGL,[43] the GP-25, the GP-30, and the Arsenal M6 UBGL.[11] The TAR can use bayonets.[34]

Magazines

Magazines for the TAR are supplied by Nilkamal Limited.[44] Magazines made for AK-47-based assault rifles can also be used.[45]

Ammunition

7.62×39mm ammunition of all types can be used for the TAR.[45]

Variants

TAR variants. From top to bottom: TAR side folding stock, TAR down folding stock and TriCa carbine.

Trichy Assault Rifle

Main variant with a fixed stock.[3]

Trichy Folding Stock (Side)

TAR variant with a side folding stock.[3]

Trichy Folding Stock (Down)

Unveiled on August 2021, it is a TAR variant with a downfolding stock.[3][25]

It's sometimes referred to as a variant with an underfolding stock.[4]

Trichy Carbine (TriCa)

Unveiled on January 2021, the TriCa weights 3.17kg and it's marketed for vehicle crews, paratroopers and special forces units looking for a compact weapon.[2] The TriCA's firing range is from 150-175 meters.[2] A muzzle device is installed on the barrel to minimize muzzle flash and sound when it's fired.[2]

The TriCa is a clone based on the Arsenal AR-M14SF, but the muzzle device is based on the AKS-74U.[a][46]

It is sometimes known as Baby TAR or TAR-3.[4]

Users

Non-State Actors

Notes

  1. ↑ Mil Mag erroneously referred to it as the AKMS-74U.[46]

References

  1. 1 2 "7.62x39mm TAR". Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ordnance Factory launches new weapon 'Trichy Carbine'". The Times of India. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tiruchi Assault Rifle for Border Security Force". The Hindu. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sandeep Unnithan (25 January 2021). "Baby TAR: India's smallest assault rifle". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  5. ↑ Cherry Gupta. "Top 10 largest arms importing countries (2020–2024): India's position revealed". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: Indian Defence Forces, State Police to Get India-made Israeli Assault Rifles". Raksha Anirveda. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Tiruchi ordnance factory develops new assault rifle". MAI. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  8. 1 2 Max Slowik (6 April 2011). "India's New Old Assault Rifle". Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Tiruchi ordnance factory develops new assault rifle". The Times of India. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Shishir Arya. "Indian 'AK-47' too fast for its own good". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 "CRPF gets first batch of Tiruchi-Assault Rifle". The Hindu. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ordnance Factory Tiruchy hands over 500 assault rifles to CRPF". The New Indian Express. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "HISTORY". Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Trichy factory churns out desi 'AK-47' rifles". The Times of India. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Ordnance Factory develops Assault Rifle". The Hindu. 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  16. 1 2 Raman Krishnamoorthy (28 October 2017). "CRPF approves Trichy Assault Rifle after tests". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  17. ↑ Deepak Karthik (12 March 2020). "CRPF gets 500 Trichy Assault Rifles". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Deepak Karthik (13 March 2020). "OFT hands over first batch of 500 Trichy Assault Rifles to CRPF". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  19. ↑ Kamaljit Sandhu (21 February 2018). "CRPF to conduct trials of "Made in India" rifles". India Today. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  20. 1 2 Vijay Deo Jha (27 January 2019). "Weapon upgrade for state cops". The Telegraph (India). Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "Post Event Report" (PDF). International Police Expo. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  22. 1 2 3 Shishir Arya (5 February 2020). "Indian assault rifle giving stiff competition to latest Russian AK". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "OFT supplied over 11k Trichy Assault Rifles in this fiscal". The Times of India. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  24. ↑ "OFT launches 40 X 46 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher". The Hindu. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  25. 1 2 "Launch of 7.62*39mm Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR) Down Folding Butt Version". Press Information Bureau. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "Trichy Assault Rifle with down-folding butt launched". The Times of India. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  27. 1 2 "OFT to deliver 100 TriCa compact carbine weapon for National Security Guards". The Hindu. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  28. 1 2 3 Deepak Karthik (14 April 2022). "Kerala police place order for 92 Trichy Carbine rifles". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  29. ↑ "Procurement of 250 Numbers of 7.62 x 39 Trichy Assault Rifle Side Foldable But with CES items" (PDF). Government of Kerala. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  30. 1 2 "Tiruchi Ordnance Factory hands over first batch of TriCa weapons to Kerala police". The Hindu. 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  31. ↑ "ANNUAL REPORT, 2021–2022" (PDF). Advanced Weapons and Equipment India. p. 05. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  32. ↑ "CISF New Rifle: CISF-এর হাতে নতুন অস্ত্র! মিনিটে ৬০০ গুলি" (in Bengali). 13 January 2023.
  33. ↑ "Minister of State for Defence visits Ordnance Factory". The Hindu. 14 April 2023. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  34. 1 2 "BSF To Procure More Made-In-India Trichy Assault Rifles". Indian Defense News. 15 January 2024.
  35. ↑ "Home Department – Police Department – Approval of State Action Plan 2023–24 – Scheme of Assistance to States and UTs for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP)" (PDF). Government of Kerala. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  36. ↑ "Police stall at Dasara Expo displays crime-fighting gear". Star of Mysore. 24 November 2023.
  37. 1 2 "'AWEIL's Indigenisation Content is 94%, one of the Highest Among DPSUs, and we Aim for 100%'". Raksha Anirveda. 25 July 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2025.
  38. ↑ "A New AK-47 Clone Has Come Out Of India". 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  39. ↑ Shan A S (31 July 2021). "Govt gives nod to buy 250 Trichy assault rifles". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  40. 1 2 S Kareemuddin (29 August 2025). "Cache of arms, ammunition seized in 5-day operation: Chhattisgarh Police". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Rising demand for Trichy assault rifle from red corridor: OFT GM". The Times of India. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  42. ↑ "ANNUAL REPORT, 2021–2022" (PDF). Advanced Weapons and Equipment India. p. 11. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  43. ↑ "LAUNCHING OF 40 X 46 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) for TAR and AK-47 Rifle". Press Information Bureau. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 January 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  44. ↑ "NILKAMAL LIMITED" (PDF). Milipol India. p. 51. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  45. 1 2 Anish Kumar (3 August 2021). "Trichy assault rifle now has a grenade launcher option". Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  46. 1 2 "Debiut subkarabinka TriCaTekst pochodzi z Magazynu Militarnego MILMAG. Przeczytaj więcej" (in Polish). Mil Mag. 9 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2025.