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IFAR 22 assault rifle undergoes Defense Ministry’s testing
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he Defense Ministry’s Research and Development Agency (Balitbang) conducted a series of functionality tests on the prototype IFAR 22 assault rifle at its laboratory in Batujajar district, West Bandung regency, West Java, private arms maker PT Republik Armamen Industri said in a statement on March 24.
The company said IFAR 22 was its first bullpup assault rifle, which uses a gas piston system with a weight of 3.6 kilogram for rifle with 16-inch barrel and 3.7 kg for 20-inch barrel with a caliber of 5.56mm.
Bullpup refers to a firearm configuration where the mechanism and magazine are located behind the trigger, as opposed to in front of the trigger in conventional configuration.
Republik Armamen Industri director Baskoro Gondokusumo said the Indonesian defense industry kept developing after various forms of cooperation between the government and private defense industry.
“The IFAR 22 test is one of our early efforts to be independent in national defense,” he said as quoted in the statement.
“This prototype is a very good starting point for our country to start producing our own weapons in the future.”
Baskoro added strengthening the local defense industry was meant to fulfill the minimum essential force for the Indonesian Military by 2024 and achieve independence in weapons procurement by 2029.
The Defense Ministry Balitbang team, consisting of military engineers and technicians, performed the series of tests to ensure the assault rifle works well within its specifications.
Attending the test were Balitbang’s army department head Col. Saiful and laboratory head Col. Saptarendra Prasada.
The tests included a 100-meter accuracy test with a shot-grouping diameter of 9 centimeters, 300 m accuracy test with grouping diameter of 15 cm, 400 m effective range test, 300 m steel penetration test with the steel being penetrated, as well as tests on construction, mechanism and strength. The Balitbang team also subjected the prototype to tests involving dust, sand, mud, fresh water and saltwater.
The test was the last step before certifying the assault rifle. After the test, Balitbang will issue a worthiness certificate to allow the mass production of IFAR 22. (nvn)
