The Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), a premier weapons production unit under the Ministry of Defence and a manufacturer of MAG, has secured a major consignment of 2,000 MMGs.
In a first, India is set to export its advanced modified medium machine gun (MMG), a marvel of precision engineering capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute, to European countries. The Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), a premier weapons production unit under the Ministry of Defence and a manufacturer of MAG, has secured a major consignment of 2,000 MMGs, which it would furnish in the next three years.
Officials from the SAF called the export deal a major leap for India’s defence sector and said that the mega consignment of 2,000 MMGs, that will further solidify India’s foothold in the competitive European arms market, was received last year in December.
“We have received an order of 2,000 MMGs from the European companies. The gun is being customised in accordance with the requirement of the buyer and the agreement, which was signed in December last year,” said Surendra Patil Yadav, General Manager SAF, Kanpur told News18, while confirming the development.
Yadav refused to disclose the cost of the consignment, name and country of the buyers for security reasons.
Capable of a sustained high rate of fire
Officials with the SAF said the MMGs, also referred as MAG, a marvel of precision engineering, are capable of a sustained high rate of fire in bursts and are suitable for use in multiple combat platforms such as vehicles, tanks, aircraft, boats, and ships. This was one of the features which attracted the European buyers the most.
The GM said that on the basis of their requirements and needs, SAF is manufacturing the modified version of medium machine gun in order to meet their expectation. Officials, while highlighting the specifications of the modified medium machine gun (MAG), said the weapon, which weighs around 11kg and can be fired from a tripod mount, is a fully automatic, air-cooled, gas-operated, belt-fed weapon.
“It delivers a sustained high rate of fire in bursts and fires from an open breech, preventing the risk of cook-off after prolonged use. The weapon can also be used on a bipod or handheld for shoulder and hip firing in emergency situations. Its heavy or light barrel, made of chromium-plated bore and chamber, can be quickly replaced to avoid overheating, which ensures longevity and prevents the cook-off of rounds after prolonged firing,” an official said.
Officials further said that the MAG is suitable for use in multiple combat platforms. Its compatibility with MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail allows for easy mounting of advanced sights, while its iron sight offers basic targeting. “The machine gun is chambered in 7.62x51mm (M80) caliber and uses disintegrating M13 links for feeding, with cartridge cases ejected downwards and links ejected to the right. The weapon’s maximum effective range extends to 1800 meters, making it highly effective for long-range infantry support.,” said officials.
MMG, another feather in SAF’s cap
Officials at the Small Arms Factory (SAF), Kanpur, termed MMG as a “highly reliable system perfect for infantry roles,” considering its adaptability for coaxial and turret use.
However, MMG is perhaps not the only feather in SAF’s cap. The Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, established in 1942 during World War II, is a premier weapons production unit under the Ministry of Defence, overseen by the Director General Ordnance Factories in Kolkata. Initially named Transplantation Project-1, it was tasked with repairing Royal Air Force aero-engines. Renamed SAF in 1949, its first major product was the 0.303″ Bren Gun, later converted to the 7.62mm Light Machine Gun in 1964.
Over the decades, SAF has produced notable weapons such as the 9mm Carbine, 51mm Mortar, and the MAG 7.62mm machine gun in collaboration with FN Belgium. SAF modernised its production with the INSAS family of weapons in 1996 and continues to develop small arms like the 7.62mm Assault Rifle and the 5.56mm Carbine, tailored for India’s counter-insurgency and security needs. The factory also serves the civilian market with products like the ANMOL revolver.
