Notes: The INSAS LMG is the squad automatic weapon version of the Indian INSAS assault rifle. Like the assault rifle version, this weapon's introduction was plagued by a lack of ammunition, and if anything, it had more technical problems than the assault rifle version; early models had defective barrels, a faulty charging handle, and a carrying/barrel handle which tended to break or fall off. These problems led India to procure RPKs from Russia and Romania, and later even some Negevs from Israel. That said, the troops who have been issued the newest models are said to be quite pleased with the INSAS LMG.

Operation and functioning of the INSAS LMG is essentially the same as its assault rifle cousin. The most obvious difference is its longer 21.1-inch barrel; a shorter version with a 19.7-inch barrel also exists, designed for use by special operations troops, airborne troops, and those who must fight from inside vehicles and helicopters. (Because of the 19.7-inch-barrel version’s intended role, this version of the INSAS LMG is almost always found with a folding stock.) Both have a bipod (a slightly-modified version of that used by the Indian version of the Bren) attached to the barrel just ahead of the gas block. The bipod folds and is somewhat adjustable for height and cant. The INSAS LMG can also be mounted on pintle and tripod mounts. The INSAS LMG has the unusual ability (for an automatic rifle) to use rifle grenades. The stock may be a fixed stock of polymer or a folding stock; I have not been able to find any evidence that any wooden-stocked INSAS LMGs were built. The fire selector allows only for automatic or semiautomatic fire, and does not have the 3-round burst capability of its assault rifle cousin. Sights consist of an adjustable flip aperture rear sight and a fixed front blade, and there is also a mount on the receiver for optical or night vision sights. The INSAS LMG is a magazine-fed weapon, though it is capable of using standard INSAS assault rifle magazines as well as STANAG-compatible 5.56mm NATO magazines.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Though thousands of these weapons were issued, by 1998 most of them had been discarded in favor of RPKs and their more readily available ammunition and parts.

Merc 2000 Notes: The Indians decided to invest in the Negev and the Ultimax 100 in lieu of the INSAS LMG.