OFB Excalibur
Ordnance Factory Board · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 2014
Also known as: Excaliber, OFB Excaliber, Rifle 5.56mm Excalibur
Overview
The OFB Excalibur is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Ordnance Factory Board since 2014. Safety features include manual safety selector, firing pin safety, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation. With over 313 years of firearms manufacturing experience, Ordnance Factory Board brings established expertise in metallurgy, machining, and quality control to every product in their lineup, ensuring each firearm meets the standards expected by today's demanding market of knowledgeable shooters and professionals.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3810 g (134.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4030 g (142.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 895 mm (35.24") |
| Folded Length | 665 mm (26.18") |
| Barrel Length | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Rotating Bolt |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1620 J (1195 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 450 m (492 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Gas Operated System, Rotating Bolt, Folding Stock, Picatinny Rail, Polymer Magazine, Iron Sights, Flash Hider
Variants
- OFB Excalibur AR-2 — Chambering Variant
Service history
Operators
- West Bengal Police · as Excalibur 5.56mm
- Chhattisgarh Police Special Task Force · as Excalibur 5.56mm
- Assam Rifles · as Excalibur 5.56mm
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,000 · Production years: 2014-present
Over 20,000 units manufactured, primarily for Indian state police forces including West Bengal Police (292 units reported) and Chhattisgarh Police STF. Rejected by Indian Army in 2016-2017.
Origin
Country of origin: India
Designer: ARDE / DRDO
Notes
The Excalibur was developed at Rifle Factory Ishapore beginning around 2011, with trials commencing in 2014-2015. During army trials, the MIR (Mean rounds between Interruption Rate) prototype had only two stoppages after firing 24,000 rounds, nearly meeting the army's specification. Despite this performance, the Indian Army ultimately rejected the Excalibur in favor of the SIG Sauer SIG716 for the new standard rifle requirement. A 7.62x39mm variant designated AR-2 has been reported under development. The rifle accepts both 20-round and 30-round polymer magazines.
Background
The Excalibur emerged from India's long and troubled quest to develop an indigenous assault rifle to replace the INSAS, which had been plagued by reliability problems since its introduction in the 1990s. Named after the legendary sword of King Arthur, the Excalibur promised to be the weapon that would finally end India's dependence on foreign small arms imports. Despite achieving impressive reliability figures in trials, the Indian Army's ultimate rejection in favor of the SIG Sauer SIG716 was seen as a significant blow to India's domestic defense manufacturing ambitions. The rifle found a second life with Indian police forces, where it serves as a substantial upgrade over aging equipment, demonstrating the often-divergent requirements between military and law enforcement procurement.