Hyderabad: Commandos to be armed with MP5 firepower

Hyderabad: Commandos of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who are tasked with securing airports across the country amid increasing terror threats, will now be able to be able to go for the kill, with more precision, in case of a terror attack on airports.

In about three months from now, the AK-47s and carbines used by the Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) of the CISF, who are deployed at airports across the country, are being replaced with the MP5 submachine guns. Known for its compactness, accuracy and reliability, the MP5s have been a favourite weapon of the special operations units across the world, including the US counter-terror units. In India, presently the elite NSG commandos are armed with MP5 submachine guns.

“Strengthening and upgrading airport security across the country is a continuous exercise. The final nod for replacing AK-47s and carbines that are being used by the CISF personnel currently with MP5 submachine guns has been approved. After Amit Shah took over as home minister, a detailed presentation was given about the pending proposals. He has given his nod for replacing old weapons as airport security is of prime concern. Within the next three months, CISF commandos at airports will be armed with MP5 submachine guns,” top government sources told Deccan Chronicle from New Delhi.

The MP5 submachine gun from Heckler and Koch is one of the most popular series of submachine guns in the world. Highly reliable, with maximum safety for the user and extremely accurate, the weapon is extraordinarily easy to control when firing and very easy to handle as well. “'The MP5 is usable in all areas and under all conditions. Because of its compactness, accuracy and reliability, it has been the favourite weapon of special units across the world for over three decades. The US Delta Force and Navy Seals have been using them,” one police official said.

The main version of the MP5 uses 9mm pistol ammunition and its cyclic rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute, which is about 13 rounds per second. All MP5s come with fire control groups that is capable of several modes of fire. The two main variants are three positional, which has safe, semi-automatic and full auto positions and four positional which has safe, semi-automatic, burst and full auto modes. Burst mode fires two or three rounds at a single trigger pull.

“In the ever-changing security scenario, it was essential to replace the old weapons. Besides MP5, the government has also agreed to provide more Glock pistols. Some personnel are already using Glocks, the request was made for more,” the sources said.

The sources added that orders will shortly be placed for MP5 and Glock weapons.

Thousands of highly-trained CISF personnel are posted at the 59 airports across the country, who are constantly undergoing training in counter-terror attacks at airports.