Vidhwansak
Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) · Sniper Rifle · In Service · 1995
Also known as: Vidhwansak AMR, Destroyer
Overview
The Vidhwansak (meaning 'Destroyer' in Hindi) is an Indian anti-materiel rifle jointly developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT). One of the few multi-caliber anti-materiel systems in the world, the Vidhwansak can be converted between 20x82mm, 14.5x114mm, and 12.7mm calibers by swapping the barrel, bolt, and magazine, a process that takes approximately one minute in the field without specialized tools. In its primary 20mm configuration, the Vidhwansak is one of the most powerful man-portable weapons in Indian military service, designed to destroy light armored vehicles, bunkers, radar installations, and aircraft on the ground at ranges up to 1,300 meters.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 25000 g (881.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 26500 g (934.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1700 mm (66.93") |
| Barrel Length | 1100 mm (43.31") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 30 N (6.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 3 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 720 m/s (2362 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 29808 J (21985 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1300 m (1422 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 5000 m (5468 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Moly Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel Frame Polymer Furniture |
| Finish | Matte Black Parkerized |
Calibers
- 20x82mm · primary — also known as 20mm MG151, 20x82mm Mauser
- 14.5x114mm — also known as 14.5mm Soviet, 14.5x114mm Soviet
- 12.7x108mm — also known as 12.7 Soviet, 12.7mm DShK
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Muzzle Brake, Integral Bipod, Anti Materiel Design, Multi Caliber Conversion, Side Mounted Magazine, Recoil Absorbing System, Quick Disassembly, Man Portable In Two Packs, Optical Sight Mount
Variants
- Vidhwansak 14.5mm — Caliber Variant
- Vidhwansak 12.7mm — Caliber Variant
Service history
Operators
- Indian Army · adopted 1995
- Indian Border Security Force
Conflicts
- Kargil War (1999)
Production
Production years: 1995-present
Limited production by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli for Indian military forces.
Origin
Country of origin: India
Notes
The Vidhwansak's muzzle brake absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil energy, making the massive 20mm cartridge manageable from a shoulder-fired platform. The rifle can be quickly disassembled into two man-portable packs, each weighing approximately 12-15 kg, for transport over difficult terrain. The side-mounted detachable magazine holds 3 rounds in the 20mm configuration. The multi-caliber conversion system provides tactical flexibility, allowing units to select ammunition based on the target type and available supply. Development began in the early 1990s under the DRDO umbrella, with the weapon entering limited service with the Indian Army.
Background
The Vidhwansak, whose name translates to 'Destroyer' in Hindi, was India's answer to the need for an indigenous anti-materiel capability during a period of heightened border tensions. Its unique triple-caliber conversion system was driven by the practical reality of India's diverse ammunition supply chain, which includes both NATO-standard and Soviet-origin cartridges. The rifle reportedly saw its first operational deployment during the 1999 Kargil War, where it was used to engage fortified positions in the high-altitude battlefields of the Himalayas.