A New India
Chapter 232 - 232: Garuda Assault Rifle - I

The testing grounds of Birla Defence Works near Pune were alive with activity, bustling with engineers, ballistics experts, and executives eager to witness the culmination of a year's work: the Garuda assault rifle.

Designed to be India's answer to the world's leading firearms, this rifle wasn't just a product, it was a declaration of independence and innovation.

But before Garuda could be presented to the military, it had to pass an extensive series of internal trials.

Each test would push the rifle to its limits, proving whether it was truly worthy of its name.

The bright workshop lights reflected off the sleek, matte-black finish of the rifle as Chief Designer Raghav addressed his team.

The room was filled with tension and pride, as the group prepared to test what they hoped would be a game-changer.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Raghav began, holding the rifle, "we've worked tirelessly for this moment. Garuda is more than just a weapon. It's a symbol of India's capability to innovate and lead in defense technology. But today, we let the results speak for themselves. This rifle must prove itself in every scenario, against every standard."

The first test focused on Garuda's accuracy and range.

At the testing range, rows of targets had been set up at distances of 200, 400, 600, and 800 meters.

Engineers calibrated the rifle's advanced optics, while Nishant Sharma, the lead weapons tester, prepared to fire.

"Garuda has an effective range of 600 meters with standard ammunition and 800 meters with advanced cartridges," Dr. Anita Kapoor, the ballistics expert, explained. "Let's see how it performs."

Nishant adjusted the rifle's holographic sight, mounted on its full-length Picatinny rail, and aimed at the 400-meter target.

The rifle's crack noise across the range as he fired a single shot, hitting the target dead center.

"Well, that's promising," Nishant said with a smirk, switching to burst mode.

He fired three rapid shots at the 600-meter target, all landing within inches of each other.

The team erupted in murmurs of approval.

"The recoil is negligible," Nishant remarked, lowering the rifle. "Even in burst mode, it stays steady. That's a huge improvement over the FN FAL, which kicks like a mule."

"That's the short-stroke gas piston system," Raghav explained. "It minimizes fouling, reduces recoil, and ensures smooth operation even during sustained fire."

The final test of range pushed the rifle to its limits.

Nishant switched to the 18-inch barrel for long-range precision and mounted a bipod for stability.

Taking careful aim, he fired at the 800-meter target.

Seconds later, the distant target displayed a clean hit.

"Unbelievable," Nishant said, lowering the rifle. "I've fired the best rifles of 1955, and nothing comes close to this level of accuracy at long range."

Next, the team demonstrated Garuda's modularity.

Raghav showcased the quick-change barrel system, swapping out the standard 16-inch barrel for a shorter 14-inch version designed for close-quarters combat.

"This is where Garuda shines," Raghav said, holding the rifle up. "A soldier can adapt this weapon to their mission in under 30 seconds, without needing specialized tools."

Nishant took up the rifle and navigated a mock urban combat scenario, firing at pop-up targets while moving through tight spaces.

The shorter barrel made it easy to maneuver, allowing for rapid transitions between targets.

"This is perfect for urban environments," Nishant said, his voice filled with admiration. "Quick, precise, and light. It's a far cry from the bulky FN FAL or the limited StG 44."

The durability tests were the most grueling. Engineers submerged Garuda in water for 15 minutes, simulating monsoon conditions.

After drying the weapon briefly, Nishant fired a full magazine without a single misfire.

"Let's raise the stakes," Anita said as the rifle was buried in fine desert sand. Nishant retrieved the weapon, loaded it, and fired again flawlessly.

Finally, the rifle was placed in a temperature chamber set to -40°C to replicate the icy conditions of Siachen.

Once again, it performed perfectly.

"This isn't just a rifle, it's a tank," Rajeev Singh, the lead mechanical engineer, remarked. "The polymer grip, heat-resistant materials, and advanced coatings make it nearly indestructible."

To push Garuda's endurance, Nishant i fired 1,000 consecutive rounds in sustained bursts.

Engineers monitored the weapon's heat levels, noting how the advanced cooling system kept the barrel stable.

By the 900th round, the barrel was glowing faintly, but the rifle's performance remained flawless.

After the final shot, Nishant placed the rifle on the table, visibly impressed.

"No jams, no misfires," he said. "Even after 1,000 rounds, it feels as smooth as the first shot. This thing could handle any battlefield."

The final test was a simulated combat scenario.

Nishant attached a suppressor and switched to the two-round burst mode, designed for precision and ammunition conservation.

Navigating an obstacle course, he engaged targets at varying distances while moving through rough terrain.

The rifle's lightweight design, combined with its ergonomic grip and retractable stock, allowed Nishant to transition quickly between firing positions.

Each shot was precise, and the suppressed rounds were nearly silent.

"This two-round burst mode is genius," Nishant said, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's perfect for urban combat quick, accurate, and deadly."

The team reconvened in the conference room to review the test results.

Charts displayed Garuda's performance metrics:

Caliber: 6.8mm intermediate cartridge

Effective Range: 600-800 meters

Rate of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Weight: 3.9 kilograms (unloaded)

Firing Modes: Safe, Semi-Automatic, Two-Round Burst

Ammunition Capacity: 30-round magazine (standard); 50-round extended magazine

Durability: Passed extreme weather and stress tests without malfunctions

Raghav stood at the head of the table, his voice steady but filled with pride. "Garuda has exceeded every benchmark we set. It's lighter than the FN FAL, more adaptable than the StG 44, and more reliable than the Lee-Enfield. This isn't just a weapon, it's the future of modern warfare."

Anita added, "The StG 44 was revolutionary for its time, but it lacks long-range accuracy. The FN FAL is powerful but unwieldy. Garuda takes the best features of these rifles and improves upon them."

Rajeev leaned back, smiling. "I'd say we're ready to present this to the military."

Raghav raised a hand. "Not yet. We've tested it extensively, but we need long-term field trials. If Garuda is going to represent India, it has to be flawless under every condition imaginable."

As the team dispersed, Garuda remained on the table, gleaming under the lights.

For Birla Defence Works, it was more than a rifle, it was proof of India's potential.