NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 26, 2024) – SIG SAUER, Inc., is honored to announce a second procurement contract with the Government of India, Ministry of Defence to supply an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles. When completed, 145,400 SIG716 rifles will be in service with the Indian Army.
“We are proud to be a partner in the modernization effort of the Indian Army, and prouder still that the SIG716 rifle achieves the Ministry of Defence’s modernization goals with the second largest army in the world,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.
The Government of India, Ministry of Defence first awarded SIG SAUER a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 riles. The successful fielding and overwhelming soldier acceptance led to this follow-on award for an additional 73,000 rifles.
“Since the initial fielding of the SIG716, we have received phenomenal end-user feedback on the performance and reliability of the platform. Throughout this time, we have strengthened and further solidified our partnership with the Indian Ministry of Defence and are honored to earn their continued trust equiping their frontline infantrymen.”
The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform chambered in 7.62 NATO featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOK™ handguard, and a 6-position telescoping stock. SIG SAUER designs and builds the SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army and for all of its customers in the United States.
Indian weapons – especially small arms – procurement is an oddity. Their decisions can’t even really be explained by corruption…it makes no sense at all.
India wanted a rifle made out of heavily domestic parts. Most sig products are almost entirely indomim (indian metal injection moulding) parts. So this is a big W for indian domestic mfg and the govt likes that they arent super dependent on external processes for mfg.
They are using Indomim Texas, though.
The decision to go with 7.62x51mm NATO does seem to be an interesting choice.
I would be very interested in learning what the criteria / rationale for that was.
IIRC, it’s intended for Indian troops in mountainous terrain, such as the Line of Control near the border of Pakistan and areas bordering China. They still issue 5.56 and 7.62×39 guns for other purposes.
Ah – that makes sense.
so how much of this is made in India? Is any of it not made in India?
If you believe some old barfcom posters, any little MIM bits from Sig are made in India.
Otherwise, the article states that the rifles are built in the USA.
It should be noted that India does have some deal with Kalashnikov/Russia to start a production line for AK-203s in India.
If you bought replacement parts from Sig they would say made in India on the little baggies they were packaged in.
Indo-MIM now has a factory in Texas, thanks in part due to their relationship with SIG.
The depth of corruption possibility’s between SIG and India are limitless!
Any proof of that or since it’s the internet we just sling conjecture like its factual.
Ron Cohen (CEO) is Israeli. The Israeli’s have ALWAYS had tight relations with India. Ron is not afraid to exploit his heritage for fiscal gain. I wouldn’t say that’s corruption as much as it is exploiting relationships. But perception is reality.
Tensions at the northern Indian border are high.