India orders 73 thousand American rifles: ₹837 crore deal; In 2019, 72,400 rifles were ordered at a cost of Rs 647 crore.

India has placed another order for 73,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US. According to Times of India sources, India has signed this deal for Rs 837 crore. Earlier in February 2019 under fast-track procurement, India had spent Rs. 647 crore was ordered for 72,400 SiG-716 rifles. The second purchase of rifles was approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in December 2023. After its delivery, the Indian Army will have more than 1.45 lakh Sig Sauer 716 assault rifles. Delays in Russian rifles cause India to order US rifles India had ordered AK-203 rifles from Russia in 2018-19 to meet its growing need for rifles, but due to delays in receiving the order, India inked a deal for the rifles with American firm Sig Soh in February 2019. Out of the first order of 72,400 rifles, 66,400 rifles were given to the Army, 4,000 to the Air Force and 2,000 to the Navy. These rifles are being given to soldiers stationed on the China-Pakistan border. These rifles will replace the INSAS rifle. 35 thousand Kalashnikov rifles to be delivered in July 2024 India is manufacturing AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles with the help of Russia at Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd in Amethi. Among these, pending delivery of 35,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Army in July 2024 has been assigned. Under the agreement signed between India and Russia, a total of 6 lakh AK-203 rifles are to be manufactured over 10 years. The AK-203 project was announced in 2018, but the project was delayed due to issues like cost, royalty, technology transfer, etc.

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