India’s push for self-reliance in the defence sector has achieved a significant milestone as Hyderabad-based startup Dvipa Defence, in collaboration with DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), successfully developed the UGRAM battle rifle in a record-breaking 100 days. Representing one of the fastest indigenous weapon development programmes in the country, the UGRAM 7.62×51 mm battle rifle has already cleared critical Army and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) trials, paving the way for its integration into India’s security forces.
The newly developed UGRAM rifle has successfully completed rigorous reliability and endurance testing, including Army General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) trials and field evaluations across diverse climatic conditions. Following these successful MHA Board trials, the flagship platform is now moving toward active procurement by several Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including the CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and NSG.
Engineered for modern combat requirements, the UGRAM battle rifle features an advanced gas-operated rotating bolt system. It combines high firepower with a lightweight design, weighing under four kilograms, and boasts an effective firing range of 500 metres.
Dvipa Defence, founded in 2018 and granted its manufacturing licence in 2021, has rapidly scaled its operations. The startup now operates a full-fledged production facility spanning more than 13 acres, allotted by the Telangana government in Hyderabad. To date, the company has developed over 100 indigenous weapon systems and variants, solidifying Hyderabad’s position as a rising hub for private defence manufacturing.
Managing Director Sibu Joseph emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering world-class, home-grown defence technology to Indian security forces, aiming to substantially reduce the nation’s reliance on imported small arms. Looking ahead, Dvipa Defence is leveraging the UGRAM architecture to expand its portfolio into a comprehensive family of indigenous weapons, which includes the U-19 sub-machine gun, the Ultra-Light Machine Gun (ULMG), the U-45 assault rifle, the U-39 platform, and a specialized weaponised anti-drone system.
