Ready, Aim, Fire! The Union Ministry of Defence has sanctioned construction of 17 new baffle firing ranges at various military stations, cantonments and training establishments at an approximate cost of Rs. 238 crore.
- The proposed baffle shooting ranges can facilitate firing from 300 to 500 meters.
- These 17 new firing ranges will be in addition to 60 similar firing ranges existing all over the country.
- Southern Command (7 ranges)
- Eastern Command (3 ranges)
- Northern Command (2 ranges)
- South Western Command (1 range)
- Central Command (1 range)
- One range is proposed at Central Command for Officers Training Academy, Gaya, Bihar
Why are these Baffle Firing Ranges needed?
- Baffle firing ranges are covered shooting practice areas which prevent possible accidents due to stray bullet injuries.
- In recent times, due to growth of civilian population around cantonments areas, possibility of accidents due to stray bullet injuries have increased.
- In order to prevent accidents and casualties without affecting the training requirements of Armed Forces new baffle ranges were approved.
- Baffle ranges require less than 50 acres of real estate as compared to about 500 acres needed for conventional small arms practice firing ranges.
- Apart from less land, baffle ranges use a system of ground barriers, side-walls, baffle walls and stop-butts to stop or trap misdirected or ricocheting bullets.
Interestingly the Army, of course, is also battling a shortage in larger ranges like field-firing ranges (FFRs) and manoeuvre ranges to train soldiers for use of heavier weapons like artillery guns and rockets.
