India orders 72,400 SIG Sauer rifles
The SIG716 7.62x51mm rifle. Photo c/o Defense News. |
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with American rifle manufacturer SIG Sauer for the supply and delivery of 72,600 new SIG716 7.62 x 51mm rifles for the Indian Army.
The contract is expected to be worth INR7 billion (US$98 million). It is expected that the delivery will be completed within 12 months under the MoD's Fast Track Procedure.
The rifles are expected to be distribute to front-line units of the Indian Army, and will replace the locally-developed INSAS 5.56 x 45mm rifle, which are being retired from service as the Indian Army found it inadequate despite just acquired in the 1990s.
India is still in the market for assault rifle to replace the INSAS rifle, with Russia's Kalashnikov also in the pipeline for acquisition of AK series of rifles.
[1] NDTV
[2] Times of India
[3] IHS Jane's
India orders 72,400 SIG Sauer rifles
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
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February 18, 2019
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