In what could come as a game-changer in boosting the lethality and accuracy of the small arms of the Indian armed forces in ever-changing and complex battlefield scenarios, which increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, India is in talks with an Israeli small arms manufacturer to explore the possibility of acquiring the ARBEL computerised weapon system.
According to the company, Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI), ARBEL is the first computerised weapon system based on a complex algorithm which "knows" when a soldier is on target and hits the target with great precision, quickly.
According to news agency ANI, IWI CEO Shuki Schwartz has recently confirmed that talks with regard to India planning to integrate the system are underway. "We are now in the first conversations and talks regarding integrating the ARBEL systems in India," he was quoted as saying. He added that the company is open to deeper technology cooperation with India.
How does it work?
ARBEL monitors the moment of the weapon and trigger status, identifying the user's tactical scenario and aiming pattern. The complex micro electro mechanical system algorithm detects the optimal fire resolution within milliseconds. When the trigger is pulled back after the initial first shot, ARBEL will analyse the shooter's behaviour and control the release of shots when there is a high probability of a hit. The user, however, will have the full control of the system.
The ARBEL system has an electronic trigger, and the company is planning to introduce a new triggering mode in which all that the soldier needs to do is to pull the trigger when he/she is on the target, keep the trigger pulled, and every time the soldier is back on target, the weapon releases an accurate, lethal shot. ARBEL can be integrated into any small-arms platforms and does not require an optical component to function.
ARBEL NEGEV is the only light machine gun in the world with accurate hits and controlled fire.
What are its benefits?
Compatible with many weapon systems, ARBEL employs advanced sensors, real-time ballistic computation and target acquisition capabilities to ensure greater kill probability. When embedded into small arms, ARBEL mitigates shooting errors caused by heavy breathing, fatigue, stress and flinching.