Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, welcomed the induction of the Ugram U-51 assault rifle — manufactured in Hyderabad — into the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), calling it a proud moment for indigenous defence manufacturing.

Context

Reddy recalled encountering DVIPA, a Hyderabad-based arms and ammunition manufacturing startup, at the International Police Expo approximately a year ago. He noted that the rifle — which he said was developed in 100 days — has now been formally inducted into the country's paramilitary police forces. 'A year back I had come across the Hyderabad-based arms and ammunition manufacturing start-up DVIPA at the International Police Expo,' he wrote. 'Proud to see that a rifle made in 100 days is now being inducted into the Police Forces.'

The Ugram U-51 is an indigenously designed assault rifle developed by DVIPA, a private-sector defence startup operating out of Hyderabad, which has emerged as a significant hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing in Telangana.

Policy Backdrop

The induction fits squarely within the framework of the Make in India initiative launched in 2014 and the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy announced in 2020, both of which set explicit targets for reducing India's dependence on imported defence equipment. Revised Defence Procurement Procedures have progressively opened space for private startups and MSMEs to supply small arms and other equipment to security forces.

Telangana has been among the states that have actively encouraged private participation in defence manufacturing, with startups like DVIPA representing a new generation of domestic suppliers moving beyond licensed foreign designs toward fully indigenous platforms.

Stakeholders and Impact

The CAPFs — which include forces such as the CRPF, BSF, and CISF — are among the largest consumers of small arms in the country, and their procurement decisions carry significant weight for domestic manufacturers seeking scale. Induction of a rifle like the Ugram U-51 into CAPF service provides a startup such as DVIPA with both a credibility boost and a potential pathway to larger orders.

For personnel, domestically manufactured rifles that meet operational standards offer the prospect of shorter supply chains, faster maintenance cycles, and reduced foreign-exchange outflow for the government.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether state police forces follow the CAPFs in placing orders for the Ugram U-51, and whether DVIPA scales up production capacity to meet potential demand. Future editions of the International Police Expo and events such as DefExpo are likely to serve as platforms where the rifle's operational performance and further procurement plans will be showcased. The induction marks an early but significant step in establishing a private Indian small-arms ecosystem that could, over time, reshape how security forces are equipped.