Ammunition and pistol maker SIG SAUER has announced a second procurement contract with India’s Ministry of Defence
Indian Army Orders An Additional 73,000 SIG716 Rifles
Ammunition and pistol maker SIG SAUER has announced a second procurement contract with India’s Ministry of Defence to supply an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles. When completed, 145,400 such rifles will be in service with the Indian Army, a statement from Sig Sauer said.
The Ministry of Defence first awarded SIG SAUER a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 rifles. The successful “fielding and overwhelming” acceptance by soldiers led to this follow-on award for an additional rifles, the company said.
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.
The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform chambered in 7.62 NATO featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOIC 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.
