iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Ammunition and pistol maker SIG SAUER has announced a second procurement contract with India’s Ministry of Defence to supply 73,000 SIG716 rifles. When completed, 145,400 rifles will be in service with the Indian Army, a statement from Sig Sauer said.
“We are proud to be a partner in the modernization effort of the Indian Army, and prouder still that the SIG716 rifle achieves the Ministry of Defence’s modernization goals with the second largest army in the world,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER. The announcement came in the immediate aftermath of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to the US last week.
The Ministry of Defence first awarded SIG SAUER a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 rifles. The rifles, being used by the Armed Forces of the US and other European countries, were bought under the fast-track procurement procedure. The successful “fielding and overwhelming” acceptance by soldiers led to this follow-on award for additional rifles, the company said in the statement.
The Indian Armed Forces have been using the Russian-origin AK-47s and the 5.56×45 mm INSAS Rifle. The rifles from Sig Sauer were meant to replace the in-service 5.56X45 mm INSAS Rifle with a 7.62X51mm modern Assault Rifle. India and Russia are also jointly producing AK 203 rifles at a factory in UP’s Amethi.
“Since the initial fielding of the SIG716, we have received phenomenal end-user feedback on the performance and reliability of the platform. Throughout this time, we have strengthened and further solidified our partnership with the Indian Ministry of Defence and are honored to earn their continued trust in equipping their frontline infantrymen,” Cohen added.
The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform chambered in 7.62 NATO featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOK handguard, and a 6-position telescoping stock. SIG SAUER designs and builds the SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army and for all of its customers in the United States.
