Nagpur: City-based steel maker Neco Group is now eyeing licensed arms market with its .22 bolt-action rifle — Trek-22. Neco Desert Tech, a group company, has designed the rifle that can be purchased by private persons after obtaining a licence. In India, it is used for security and sporting purposes. For the foreign markets, Neco’s rifles are also being pushed as a suitable weapon for small-game hunters.The company has built a manufacturing facility at Nagpur, made sample lots and is in the stage of accepting orders, said sources. The weapons are expected to be available domestically soon. The .22 bullets are of a smaller calibre and are typically used as private weapons in the country — as a hobby or security. In Vidarbha, Neco would be the second private player in this segment as Tembo Defence has also plans to make .45 calibre pistols in Amravati.Neco Defence, a stand-alone company in the group, has tied up with US’s Desert Tech in the small-arms business. The joint venture Neco Desert Tech has rolled out Trek-22 rifle and the company is banking on the new looks and lighter weight of the weapon.The .22 rifles available in the Indian market are of the traditional design and foreign make, having typical extended barrel and a long wooden muzzle and butt. This Made in India rifle is expected to be among the first indigenous weapon, said sources in the company.The company has also developed sniper and an assault rifle. The company is eyeing domestic market through bidding route, especially for the snipers. The hard-target interdiction sniper is being pushed for the military as well as police forces around the world. The weapon was developed at the specific request from military customers for use of extreme distances against hard targets, says a company document.
