Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options
New iterations of a 57mm gun system highlight a push towards multi-role turrets capable of countering armour, drones and aerial targets.
Indian Army issues RfI for .338 sniper rifles
The Indian Army procured some examples of Sako’s TRG 42 last year, but another 4,800 sniper rifles are required. (Beretta NZ)
Sniper rifles for the Indian military are just one category of small arms that has made little progress in terms of successful tenders.
The Indian MoD issued a fresh RfI on 28 June for approximately 4,800 bolt-action sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, with the intention of issuing nearly all to the Indian Army.
The Defence Procurement Board had announced the acceptance of necessity for these rifles in May. The rifles are to be fitted with 5-25x telescopic sights and supplied with 7.8 million rounds of ammunition.
Some 4,500 rifles will go to the army, 200 to the Indian Air Force and the remainder to the Indian Navy. A budget of about INR4.5 billion ($57 million) has been allocated.
The acquisition is
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options]()
-
![More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order]()
More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order
The agreement points to growing international interest in mobile and survivable artillery systems, with further orders and export opportunities already emerging.
-
![UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?]()
UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?
The UK’s Defence Investment Plan splurges big for future air and naval programmes, including new hybrid ships, but there are fewer big-ticket items for British Army vehicles. Shephard’s Damian Kemp looks at the much delayed plan.
-
![DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand]()
DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand
DroneShield has been at the forefront of CUAS capability despite being founded only 12 years ago. The company’s early move into the counter-drone arena has put it on the crest of the rapidly expanding technology field.
-
![June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress]()
June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress
This month’s land forces highlights were dominated by the eventful Eurosatory exhibition, particularly in the area of tanks, while separately the JLTV programme took another twist and Canada opted for HIMARS.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction]()
Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction
Uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems were a major feature of this edition of Eurosatory 2026 along with programme updates and first sight of new main battle tanks.
