The INSAS LMG was developed alongside assault rife and shares the same basic design

The INSAS (INdian Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms, including assault rifle and Light Machine Gun (LMG). Both of these weapons share the same basic design. A carbine was also planned, but eventually was not adopted. Development of the INSAS family reportedly commenced in India in the mid 1980s. Both assault rifle and light machine gun were adopted by the Indian armed forces in 1998. The INSAS LMG was adopted as a standard squad-level support automatic weapon. To this day it is used by the Indian armed forces, even though India MoD is looking for its replacement. It is possible that this light machine gun was exported to some countries. This weapon saw action during Kargil War (1999) and the ongoing Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in India.

The INSAS light machine gun is based on the Soviet RPK , but has a number of features from other successful designs, such as the FN FAL (gas system), HK33 (charging handle), Steyr AUG (magazine), and Galil (buttstock). It has the same basic design as the INSAS assault rifle, but comes with a longer heavy barrel, bipod, and 'full-auto' firing mode. Also this weapon has a different foregrip. A number of parts are interchangeable between the INSAS light machine gun and assault rifle.

This light machine gun is a gas operated weapon. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm (.223 Remington) ammunition, opposed to Soviet 5.56x39 mm or 7.62x39 mm ammunition. Originally the INSAS weapon family was planned to be adopted in 1994. However the introduction was delayed due to design flaws and the lack of 5.56x45 mm ammunition in India. Eventually ammunition was obtained in large quantity from Israel. Otherwise the INSAS was produced without reliance on foreign components.

This weapon is capable of semi-auto and full-auto firing modes. Fire mode selector is located on the left side, above the pistol grip.

The INSAS light machine gun is fed from 30-round capacity magazines. It is also compatible with 20-round capacity magazines, developed for INSAS assault rifle. Magazines are transparent. This handy feature was borrowed from the Austrian Steyr AUG. It allows to see the number rounds left, without removing the magazine from the weapon. Magazines are designed to the M16 standard. However it appeared that these magazines tend to crack due to cold weather and can not withstand battlefield abuse.

This fire support weapon has built-in iron sights with a sighting range of up to 1 000 m. There is a mounting point for telescopic or night sights. The INSAS LMG It has an effective range of 700 m against area targets.

The baseline LMG has a solid stock. There is also a version of the INSAS LMG with a side-folding metal stock. This version is mainly intended for paratroopers and special forces. This fire support weapon has a built-in carrying handle.

However it appeared that this weapon has some reliability issues. It tends to jam at high altitudes. Also its magazines crack due to cold weather and battlefield abuse. Also the Indian armed forces want a weapon with a longer range. So currently Indian armed forces are looking for a new weapon to replace the INSAS LMG.

Variants

INSAS LMG Mk.1 is a baseline version with a solid buttstock.

INSAS LMG Mk.1A is a version with a side-folding metal stock, similar to that of the IMI Galil, rather than that of the Soviet RPD. This weapon is intended for paratroopers and special forces. It has some minor differences, such as reshaped pistol grip.