New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has finalized an Rs 800 crore contract with SIG SAUER, a prominent US defense company, for the supply of 73,000 SIG716 rifles to the Indian Army. This new order will significantly boost the Army's firepower and modernize its arsenal.

With this purchase, the Indian Army's total stock of SIG716 rifles, which are of 7.62 x 51mm caliber, will increase to 145,400 rifles. This announcement came during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's recent four-day visit to the United States.

SIG SAUER's President and CEO, Ron Cohen, expressed pride in contributing to the Indian Army's modernization, stating, “We are honored to support the Ministry of Defence’s goals with the SIG716 rifle, especially with one of the world’s largest armies.”

In February 2019, the Defence Ministry had initially ordered 72,400 SIG716 rifles via a fast-track procedure. Following positive feedback on their performance, this new batch of rifles will further strengthen the partnership between SIG SAUER and the Indian Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Rajnath Singh, approved this additional procurement of 70,000 rifles in December 2023, with an investment of approximately Rs 800 crore. These new rifles will replace the older 5.56 x 45 mm INSAS rifles, enhancing the capabilities of troops, especially those stationed at border areas.

The SIG716 rifles, first introduced in 2019, have already been utilized by troops along the India-Pakistan and India-China borders. The latest batch of SIG716 rifles was approved by the ministry in 2020, with their extended range and improved operational ease playing a key role in the decision to place a repeat order.

The Indian Armed Forces require a total of 810,000 combat rifles, with the Indian Army needing 760,000 of these. From the initial SIG716 procurement, the Army received 66,400 rifles, while the Air Force and Navy received 4,000 and 2,000 rifles, respectively.

The Indian Army is also in the process of acquiring 670,000 AK-203 rifles. The first 70,000 were purchased from Russia in January 2022, with the remaining six lakh being produced under a transfer of technology agreement in Uttar Pradesh. In July, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited delivered 35,000 AK-203 rifles to the Army. The AK-203, an upgraded version of the AK-200 rifle, is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge used by the Indian Army.

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