Defense Ministry approves second batch of 70,000 Sig Sauer rifles to better equip Indian infantry

The Defense Ministry has greenlit the acquisition of over 70,000 Sig Sauer, SIG-716i assault rifles for the Indian Army, with the deal valued over 800 crores, as per report on December 12. This move will see more Army soldiers armed with the American rifle.

These rifles are earmarked for better operational ease, as the current Sig Sauer rifles have seen deployment in critical counterterrorism operations and various strategic duties. Sources within the government revealed that the nod for this procurement was granted during a high-level Defense Ministry meeting attended by key military officials.

Deployment and rationale for Sig Sauer rifles

This approval assumes great importance given the current military impasse with China and the ongoing intensive counterterrorism initiatives along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, combating Pakistan-backed terrorist incursions. Already in use within the Ladakh sector along the Chinese front and extensively in the Kashmir valley, India had previously inducted over 70,000 of these American-manufactured assault rifles. The decision to acquire these rifles stemmed from the army's quest for a weapon system with an extended ‘effective’ operational range.

Details of Sig Sauer acquisition and advantages

Back in February 2019, a procurement deal for 72,400 SiG-716i rifles was finalised from SIG Sauer in the US, with 66,400 allocated to the Army, 4,000 to the Air Force, and 2,000 to the Navy. The SiG-716i assault rifle gained preference among several contenders due to its 7.62 x 51mm calibre, higher range, and purportedly superior lethality in comparison to the INSAS Rifle or the AK-47 and its variants currently in service. According to sources from the previous purchase, at least two companies in each infantry battalion were equipped with SiGs.

Advantages of Sig Sauer over INSAS

To further elaborate on why Sigs were preferred: until now, the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifles manufactured locally by the Ordnance Factories Board were the main weapons of the Indian Army. However, there were many glitches in INSAS rifles. They used to get jammed, and the 5.56 mm bullet, in many cases, didn't kill the terrorist in one shot, which was another major drawback.

The Sig Sauer bullet is 7.26 mm, which is larger than that of the INSAS. An official stated, following the finalization of the previous deal, "Sig Sauer is a shoot-to-kill weapon; one bullet for one enemy." Sig Sauer has an effective killing range of 600 metres, compared to around 400 metres for the INSAS. Another advantage is that Sig Sauer can be used by both left and right-handed soldiers. It has sights to aim fire. "Sig Sauer's firing is very precise, and the metal is also of high quality," added the Defense official.

Diversification of arsenal: A logistical err in making?

Additionally, the Indian armed forces are also acquiring the AK-203 from a joint venture located at the ordnance factory near Amethi. Recent acquisitions of the Russian AK-103 in substantial numbers further bolster the military's capabilities, fortifying their stance against terrorist threats and enhancing readiness for conventional operations. This move signifies India's proactive measures in modernising its arsenal to effectively counter evolving security challenges.