DIMAPUR, JAN 15 (MExN): From 9mm pistols to light artillery field guns to sophisticated surveillance and communications devices, the Army exhibition staged at Dimapur State Stadium coinciding with the Army Day celebrations was indeed a sight to digest. Children were especially awestruck by the display of the large number of weapons employed by soldiers when the need arises. Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta earlier inaugurated the display formally. He was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Army 3 Corps, Rangapahar, AK Samantaray. The infantry weapons displayed by the 11 Garhwal Rifles was a major hit. Automatic rifles and machine guns were place alongside Dragunov sniper rifles and anti tank guided missile systems. Night vision goggles, mine detecting sets and a global positioning system, among others, proudly stood to attention for onlookers to admire. Entitled ‘Know Your Army’, the exhibition was an attempt to bridge the divide between civilians and the men in uniform. “We should have more of such occasions,” Major Kishan Dutt of the 31 Assam Rifles said. He was especially pleased by the large turnout and put across his sentiment that the interest evoked by the crowd was encouraging.
The medium machine gun carrying a total weight of 24.4 kg can fire up to a range of 1800 meters and can spew 600-1000 rounds per minute while the automatic grenade launcher can eject 300-400 grenades per minute. The anti tank guided missile system has the ability to fire three different types of missiles. Its penetration capacity placed at 850 mm makes tanks vulnerable to its attack. The light infantry Indian Field Gun weighing at 3400 kg has a maximum range of 17,200 meters and can fire four types of ammunition- HE, Smoke, Star and Hesh.
The impressive mobile radio station, RRF (LB) is an ultra high frequency communicable equipment designed to provide fast, reliable and secure telecommunications medium for military application. It is fully digital and requires an electrical input supply of 220 V A/C. It has a communication range of 25 km. Using latest technology, the Israel made long range reconnaissance and observatory system is an intelligent computer operated device which can be employed in any front.
All of these armouries were among those showcased at the ‘Know Your Army’ exhibition. Personnel of the security forces manning the various stalls were at their Sunday best. Untiringly, they repeated information about the weapons and gadgets up for display and also showed eager civilian attendees how to hold the weapons when asked to.
Saddled on two bicycles, Moameren and his three brothers from Duncan Basti, Dimapur came to witness the demonstration excitedly. “I really enjoyed a close-up look of the weapons,” the school student said.
