Sig Sauer Expands Production to India, Set to Manufacture 73,000 Rifles by 2025

New Delhi, India — In a landmark move reinforcing India's 'Make in India' initiative, American arms manufacturer Sig Sauer has announced plans to produce a portion of the 1,45,000 Sig 716 assault rifles ordered by the Indian Army within India. This development follows Sig Sauer’s successful completion of an initial order for 72,500 assault rifles as part of the Indian Army’s modernization efforts and marks a strategic shift toward localized production, aligning with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Sig Sauer's CEO and President, Ron Cohen, shared the announcement alongside the Pune-based Nibe Group, a key Indian partner in this initiative. Cohen underscored India's importance to Sig Sauer, noting that India is now the company’s largest procurement source globally. “We’ve been active in India for nearly two decades, and it has become our largest procurement source worldwide, operating across 93 countries,” Cohen told ANI. 

Future Vision: Fully Indian-Made Products by 2025 

Sig Sauer’s strategic partnership with the Nibe Group aims to fulfil a significant portion of India’s defence requirements while also creating a sustainable production base in India. By 2025, Sig Sauer plans to manufacture fully 'Made-in-India' products for the domestic market, with initial production targeting the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Cohen highlighted this ambitious goal, stating, “In 2025, we’ll be producing a fully Indian-made product, primarily for the MOD and MHA.”

Cohen also revealed that the company had received an additional order from the Indian government for 73,000 more Sig 716 rifles, which will be delivered progressively throughout 2025. This order, Cohen explained, will be executed in collaboration with Ganesh Nibe and the Nibe Group, leveraging their dynamic approach and localized capabilities. 

Building a Regional Hub in India 

Looking beyond India, Sig Sauer has plans to make the country a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for the eastern hemisphere. “Over time, India will serve as our operational base to cover the majority of the eastern hemisphere,” said Cohen. This development aligns with Sig Sauer’s strategy to expand its footprint in Asia, enhancing India’s role in the company’s global supply chain and leveraging the country’s engineering and manufacturing potential. The company envisions India as a core contributor to its growth, not just as a production hub but as a centre of innovation and expertise. 

Sig Sauer is known for its stringent quality standards, which align well with India’s expanding capabilities in defence manufacturing. Cohen emphasized that the company’s rigorous quality demands are readily met by Indian manufacturers, adding, “Sig Sauer is a premium company and the largest firearms supplier to the US military. Our quality requirements are exceptionally stringent, and we find these standards abundantly met in India.”

In addition, Sig Sauer plans to increase the percentage of components manufactured locally, further integrating Indian technology and materials into its products. Cohen noted that the company operates a procurement office in New Delhi, which is instrumental in managing this increased localization of production and sourcing. 

The collaboration with Nibe Group forms a cornerstone of Sig Sauer’s localized production approach in India. Nibe Group’s manufacturing expertise will be essential in facilitating the large-scale production required to meet India’s defence demands. Cohen expressed confidence in Nibe’s dynamic approach and their ability to support the growing scale of production, ensuring seamless quality and delivery timelines. 

India’s substantial growth potential

India’s defence market holds substantial growth potential, fueled by the government's commitment to reducing reliance on foreign imports and enhancing indigenous production capabilities. Sig Sauer’s plans align with this vision, with Cohen commenting, “The growth of Indian technology and the market’s potential makes it an attractive hub for Sig Sauer beyond the United States.” With the full support of the Indian government’s 'Make in India' initiative, Sig Sauer envisions a long-term relationship that will serve as a model for international companies looking to expand into the Indian defence sector.

This move by Sig Sauer also strengthens Indo-US defence cooperation, exemplifying the close ties between the two countries. With the Indian military undergoing rapid modernization and looking to equip its forces with advanced weaponry, the collaboration signals a deepened partnership that goes beyond procurement to involve technology transfer, capacity building, and regional strategic alignment.