F - INSAS F - INSAS is India ' s program to equip its Infantry with state - of - the - art equipment . F - INSAS means Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System . The F - INSAS program . F - INSAS has been taken up to equip Indian infantry with advanced weaponry , communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield . This program is similar to the future soldier programs of other nations . F - INSAS includes a fully networked all - terrain , all - weather personal - equipment platform , enhanced firepower and mobility for the digitalised battlefield of the future . The weight carried by soldiers will need to be reduced by at least 50 % . The fully integrated Infantry of tomorrow will be equipped with mission - oriented equipment integrated with his buddy soldier team , the sub - unit , as also the overall C4I2 ( Command , Control , Communications Computers , Information and Intelligence ) system . Timeline . In the first phase , to be completed by 2015 , the infantry soldier will be equipped with a modular weapon system that will have multi - functions . The Indian Army intends to modernise its entire 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020 with this program . F - INSAS equipment . The intention is to equip the soldier to ensure a dramatic increase in his lethality , survivability and mobility while making the soldier " a self - contained fighting machine " . Core systems . Helmet and visor . The bullet - proof helmet , capable of stopping a 9mm round at close range , contains a mounted flash light , thermal sensors , a night vision capability , a digital compass , video cameras , a computer , nuclear , biological and chemical sensors , and an audio headset . The visor is intended to be integrated and to act as a heads - up display monitor equivalent to two 17 - inch computer monitors . Clothing . The personal clothing of this soldier of the future would be lightweight with a bullet - proof jacket . The jacket would be non - flammable , waterproofed yet breathable . The new attire will enable him to carry extra loads and resist the impact of nuclear , radiological , chemical and biological warfare . The uniform will also carry solar elements for charging a palmtop and other attached electronic equipment . It will contain external an oxygen supply and respirator to provide protection against gas and smoke and will include fire - proof knee and elbow pads and ballistic and laser eye protection goggles . A bullet - proof , armored waistcoat including flexible ballistic , hard ballistic , ceramic armor plates covering the front , back and groin and an armored , electronic jacket with a load - bearing system will also be included . The electronic jacket integrates the electronics ( such as a computer unit , energy manager unit , peripheral equipment interfaces , user interfaces , a radio , a man - machine interface , a Global Positioning System ( GPS ) , cables , connector , camouflaging system , wearable environmental control and a micro - climate cooling system ) . A flexible water bottle , magazines , grenades and other equipment holders and pockets optimizes weight distribution on the soldier . The new uniform will have vests with sensors to monitor the soldier ' s health parameters and provide quick medical relief . He might also wear flame - resistant , moisture - defeating undergarments ; flame - resistant hand , face , and foot protection and a pair of non - skid shoes with mine detection sensors would complete the ensemble . Weapons . The weapons sub - system is built around a multi - calibre individual weapon system with the fourth calibre attached to a grenade launcher . These include a 5 . 56 mm , a 7 . 62 mm and a new 6 . 8 mm under development for the first time in India . The UBGL ( Under Barrel Grenade Launcher ) will be capable of firing air bursting grenades . The sub - system includes a thermal weapon sight and laser range finder to provide the soldier with range and direction information . The GPS location information will allow the soldier to call for indirect fire accurately . There are two types of next generation infantry rifle under development in cooperation with Israel . In this context , news sources report that the Indian MoD has recently issued a global tender for the acquisition of a new assault rifle and a Close Quarter Battle ( CQB ) carbine . Accessories . The soldier will be equipped with a USB 2 . 0 . digital data bus , Palmtop GPS navigation device , secured advance audio communication set , advance electronic warfare data manager , secured network connection where each radio can subscribe to two networks simultaneously . This offers the squad leader some flexibility in organizing communication networks in his section . Each network has an audio conference channel , with priority given to the squad leader , an alert channel from the infantryman to his leader , and a data transmission channel . Voice and data transmissions are based on tried and tested civilian technology ( domestic cordless telephone technology ) . Each sub - network works from a base carried by the squad leader . As RIF sets are all identical , a soldier can replace his commander if necessary by configuring his set as base . The radio is configured by the computer , thereby limiting the number of control buttons needed on the set . The soldier might be able to communicate with other soldiers and locate or generate maps to find his location , and he will be aware of the situation on the battlefield . The palmtop will inform soldiers where other friendly forces are in relation to them . It will also enable them to transfer messages . Terrain equipment for various specific missions will also be carried . Thermal imaging , sensors and night vision equipment , currently deployed in weapon systems such as artillery and main battle tanks , will be customised to make them man - portable on the battlefield . Defense advanced GPS receivers , infrared sensors , thermal sensors , optical sensors , electromagnetic and radio frequency sensors and many other sensors , radars and jammers would also be carried . Procurements for program . Procurement requests for the ' open calibre ' carbine valued at around have been initiated with global manufacturers . The procurement covers night - vision devices , laser designators and detachable under - barrel grenade launchers . Indigenisation of program . With the intent to retain its strategic autonomy , self - reliance and indigenisation of the program is being emphasised . Most of the equipment is being locally developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) independently , as the prime developer and the system integrator , as well as with a private partnership . Tata Advanced Systems , Rolta and Thales Ltd are among the firms to be associated . Out of five major technologies for the futuristic soldier , the following two have been developed by the DRDO :