The new program will have two components: one to arm the future infantry soldier with the best available assault rifle, carbines and personal equipment, such as helmets and bulletproof vests.
[citation needed] F-INSAS has been taken up to equip Indian infantry with advanced weaponry, communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield conceived in 1994.
F-INSAS includes a fully networked all-terrain, all-weather personal-equipment platform, enhanced firepower and mobility for the digitalised battlefield of the future.
On 16 August 2022 Honorable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over F-INSAS to Army Chief General Manoj Pande .
The new attire will enable him to carry extra loads and resist the impact of nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological (NRCB) warfare.
A flexible water bottle, magazines, grenades and other equipment holders and pockets optimises weight distribution on the soldier.
The new uniform will have vests with sensors to monitor the soldier's health parameters and provide quick medical relief.
The IRNSS (similar to GPS or GLONASS) location information will allow the soldier to call for indirect fire accurately.
In this context, news sources report that the Indian MoD has recently issued a global tender for the acquisition of a new assault rifle and a Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine.
Laser target it has multiple picatinny rails to facilitate various add-on equipments needed for various missions and thus improving versatility.
The soldier will be equipped with a USB 2.0 digital data bus, Palmtop IRNSS/GPS navigation device, secured advance audio communication set, advance electronic warfare data manager, secured network connection where each radio can subscribe to two networks simultaneously.
Procurement requests for the 'open calibre' carbine valued at around ₹44 billion (US$508.4 million) have been initiated with global manufacturers.