Delivery in one year of signing order
The Defence Ministry has approved the acquisition of around 73,000 assault rifles from the US under fast track mode, according to media reports on 2 Feb 2019.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved procurement of the Sig Sauer rifles which will be used by troops deployed along the nearly 3,600-km border with China.
The rifles, being used by the US forces as well as several other European countries, are being bought under the fast track procurement procedure.
“The contract is expected to be finalized within a week. The US firm will have to deliver the rifles within one year from the date of finalising the deal,” the Press Trust of India quoted a senior official, involved in the negotiation of the deal, as saying.
The world’s second largest standing Army has been pressing for fast-tracking the procurement of various weapons systems considering the evolving security threats including along India’s borders with Pakistan and China.
In October 2017, the Army began the process to acquire around 700,000 rifles, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines. The Army is replacing INSAS rifles.
The Government latest Interim Budget for the financial year 2019-20 envisaged a total outlay of Rs.27,84,200 crore for the Defence Ministry.
SIG SAUER
Newington’s Sig Sauer big orders include a five-year contract with the U.S. Army Contracting Command for commercial off the shelf (COTS) rifles and pistols to include MCX rifles, MPX sub-guns, 716G2 rifles, SP2022 pistols, TANGO6 series riflescopes, suppressors, and various SIG SAUER accessories.
The company said the U.S. Army has identified the following SIG SAUER product for the COTS contract:
SIG SAUER MCX Rifles: conceived for the demands of the special operations community and engineered for adaptability, accuracy, and durability. Available in over 500 configurations the MCX offers the utmost in mission-specific flexibility featuring user changeable barrels, free-floating M-LOK™ handguards, ambidextrous AR style controls, a folding adjustable stock, and a 30-round magazine.
SIG SAUER MPX Rifles: a groundbreaking sub-gun with a short-stroke gas piston operating system, featuring user changeable barrels available in varying lengths, a short aluminum KeyMod™ handguard, ambidextrous AR controls, and a 30-round magazine.
SIG SAUER 716G2 Rifles: a short-stroke pushrod gas system on an AR platform and 7.62 NATO caliber performance, a free-float handguard, ambidextrous controls, a telescoping stock, ambidextrous steel QD sling mounts, and a 20-round magazine.
SIG SAUER SP2022 Pistols: full-size suppressed and non-suppressed pistols featuring a durable, lightweight, and wear-resistant polymer frame with a nitron stainless steel slide, a double action/single action trigger, SIGLITE Night Sights, and an integrated M1913 accessory rail.
SIG SAUER TANGO6 Series Riflescopes: ruggedized and optimized for military use to withstand both close quarter battle operations and long-range shooting. All TANGO6 series riflescopes are manufactured using anodized aircraft grade aluminum maintubes and are available in multiple reticle and illumination options.
SIG SAUER Suppressors: designed to be part of a completely integrated pistol or rifle system to maximize overall performance resulting in the most advanced, most dependable suppressors.
SIG SAUER Accessories: to include various uppers, threaded barrels, and magazines. fiinews.com
