India develops a sophisticated soft target munition
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the Authority to Keep Sealed Specifications (AHSP) of 'Nipun' Munition to Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) at Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pashan, Pune. Nipun is a soft target munition designed and developed by ARDE in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune. Shri A Raju, Director, ARDE handed over the AHSP to Major General J James, Controller CQA (A), Khadki, Pune.
After successful completion of General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) based evaluation, Nipun munition has been inducted into the Indian Army. Two Indian private industries – Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Nagpur and Premier Explosives Limited (PEL), Secunderabad – have taken over the technology from DRDO. Both the industries have currently started bulk production under purchase order from Indian Army. Twenty lots of munition have been delivered to Indian Army so far. Nipun is highly user friendly and lethal against the enemy. This munition is completely safe during handling, transportation and laying.
Dr. Sameer V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO congratulated the ARDE team for the successful transfer of Nipun's AHSP to DGQA and termed it a major achievement as these weapons will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army.
