The Indian Army will finally start receiving new small arms after a contract was signed with SIG Sauer in the US for 72,400 rifles of 7.62mm calibre.
The MoD declared in a statement, ‘A contract for procurement of 72,400 assault rifles through fast-track procurement (FTP) was signed with SIG Sauer of [the] US on February 12.’
The contract worth approximately INR7 billion ($100.8 million) stipulates that all these SIG 716 rifles will be delivered within 12 months.
Of the total amount ordered, 66,400 weapons will go to the Indian Army, 2,000 to the navy and 4,000 to the air force.