Army places order for 73,000 more SIG716 rifles

The announcement came in the immediate aftermath of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to the US last week.

By: Express News Service
New Delhi | August 28, 2024 07:00 AM IST

1 min read

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File Photo)

The Indian Army has placed a follow-on order of additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles from US firm SiG Sauer, it has announced. When completed, 145,400 such rifles will be in service with the Indian Army, the firm said.

The announcement came in the immediate aftermath of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to the US last week.

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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 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.