Indian Army launches RFI for corner shot weapons

14 Jan 2009 8ak (article first reported by Shiv Aroor: Preparing itself for urban warfare where the rules of the game are different, the Indian army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for corner shot weapons. To begin with, the weapon in all probability will be inducted into the Para-SF and few infantry units of the army.

The RFI floated by the army specifies that the weapon should be able to engage its target beyond 200mts. The army seems to be in a real hurry to acquire these sophisticated weapons as the weapons acquisition directorate has given armament companies time till 30 January to submit their proposal.

8ak sources have also revealed that corner shot weapons have been inducted into the NSG as well after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The sources said that such weapons increases the safety of the soldiers and at the same time reduces the stress levels during close combats. Adding further he said that the weapon is most lethal in urban warfare where a soldier can shoot and kill without being exposed to enemy fire.

Besides the joint venture between America and Israel, Pakistan and Iran have developed technology of manufacturing corner shot weapons. The corner shot weapons are equipped with small, high-resolution cameras and a monitor that can observe and view a target from various angles. The weapon allows shooters to track a hostile element around a corner with the help of a video camera mounted on the gun, which can swivel 63 degrees on either side.

The corner shot weapon was developed by two Israeli army officers with the backing of American investors. It is manufactured by Miami- based Corner Shot Holdings, LLC, with offices in Israel as well. Asaf Nadel one of Corner Shot's founders and a former commander in the Armored Corps and Secret Service, said: 'Corner Shot system is designed in a way that enables security forces to engage targets from the left, and right, from the front, up or down, and to move to each of these shooting positions very rapidly without the removal of hands from the weapon. This shortens reaction time and increases accuracy in sudden engagement situations. The weapon system can be triggered completely from behind cover.'

Three different variants of the corner shot weapon excluding the standard have been developed so far. They are the 40 mm grenade launcher, the Assault pistol rifle, and corner shot panzer faust designed for use against armoured vehicles. Its purpose is similar to that of the wartime periscope rifle.

The Corner Shot consists of a segmented, assault rifle-type folding stock, pistol-grip contraption, onto which is attached a pistol of choice and a compact, detachable colour video camera. A lateral left and right swinging hinge mechanism and a remote trigger control allow the user to drop the hammer on targets from behind the safety and comfort of any right-angled structure.