India Orders 73,000 American Rifles in ₹837 Crore Deal; Follows 2019’s ₹647 Crore Purchase
India has placed a second order for 73,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the United States. According to sources from The Times of India, this deal has been signed at a cost of ₹837 crore. Previously, in February 2019, under a fast-track procurement process, India had placed an order for 72,400 SiG-716 rifles worth ₹647 crore.
Defense Acquisition Council Approved the Purchase in December 2023
The second purchase of these rifles was approved in December 2023 by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Once delivered, the Indian Army will have over 1.45 lakh Sig Sauer 716 assault rifles.
India Turned to the US Due to Delays in Russian Rifles
India had ordered AK-203 rifles from Russia to meet the growing demand for rifles during 2018-19. However, due to delays in receiving this order, India entered into a deal with the American firm Sig Sauer in February 2019. Out of the first order of 72,400 rifles, 66,400 were allocated to the Army, 4,000 to the Air Force, and 2,000 to the Navy. These rifles are being provided to soldiers deployed on the China and Pakistan borders, replacing the INSAS rifles.
35,000 Kalashnikov Rifles Delivered in July 2024
India is manufacturing AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles with the help of Russia at Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited in Amethi. In July 2024, the Army received a pending delivery of 35,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles. Under the agreement between India and Russia, a total of 6 lakh AK-203 rifles are to be produced over 10 years. The AK-203 project was announced in 2018, but it faced delays due to issues related to cost, royalties, technology transfer, and other factors.
