The small arms manufacturer SIG Sauer has announced on 13 February that India’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) will acquire 72,400 SIG716 7.62 mm assault rifles for the Indian Army (IA).

According to a statement, the Government of India, Ministry of Defense has officially contracted with SIG SAUER to build and deliver 72,400 SIG716 rifles for its frontline infantry soldiers.

The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOM handguard, and a 6-position telescoping stock.

“This is the first large firearms procurement of the Indian Government in decades, and the explicit mission for this tender was to modernize the infantry troopers of the Indian Army with the best rifle available,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “We competed in an open tender with small arms manufacturers from around the world. The SIG716 rifle underwent a comprehensive and exhaustive testing and evaluation process where it outperformed the competition, and was ultimately chosen, and met all the criteria, as the best rifle to modernize the Indian Army.”

SIG Sauer will build the SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army in New Hampshire. Work is expected to completed within 12 months.

The SIG516 is a semi-automatic multi-caliber rifle, intended for civilian and law enforcement markets.

The same family also includes selective-fired (single shot, 3 shot burst, full automatic modes) assault rifles, strictly intended for law enforcement and military use.

“The global importance of this contract for SIG SAUER is far reaching based on the size, location, and economic strength of India in the global market. We are very proud, and honored that the SIG716 was chosen for use by the fighting forces of the Indian Army, and we are looking forward to developing a strong partnership with India’s Ministry of Defense,” added Cohen.