Fear & Loading: World’s Second-Largest Army Going with SIG?

by
posted on February 5, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
sig716-patrol.jpg

The Times of India reported on Feb. 2 that the country’s military is fast-tracking the purchase of 72,400 SIG Sauer rifles for issue to its frontline troops and that the contract should be signed “In a week or so.” Janes—arguably one of the most reliable sources of information in the defense industry—broke a story two days later, indicating it confirmed the deal with Indian Army officials, adding that the rifles are SIG716s and total value of the deal is roughly $72 million (U.S.).

SIG Sauer has not issued a statement, although that’s expected when international sales of this scale—even to an allied country—require Congressional approval. Lawmakers weigh in on any, “Commercially licensed arms sales cases involving defense articles that are … valued at $1 million or more,” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency explains.

More than 1.2 million serve in active duty with the Indian Army—making it the second-largest in the world, slightly ahead of the United States—and nearly another million are on reserve status. The majority of the SIG Sauer rifles will be deployed along the border with China, where tensions between the two countries have historically been high.

The Indian armed forces currently field a variety of firearms from different manufacturers, although the country’s domestically produced 1B1 INSAS is its standard-issue rifle. When that gun’s sub-par performance became obvious in testing, the country embarked on a replacement search sometime in 2017. Military Times  in early January that talks with SIG Sauer had already begun.    

If the agreement is approved and comes to fruition, it represents only a portion of the $503 million (U.S.) in all the Indian Army is allegedly ready to spend on retiring the 1B1. The Times of India story included another fast-tacked deal already in the works for 93,895 Caracal CQB carbines, indicating the contracts could be distributed among a variety of sources. 

Latest

Gotw Bmr X Steel Web
Gotw Bmr X Steel Web

Gun Of The Week: Bergara BMR-X Steel

In this episode, the American Rifleman staff is on the range with a rimfire rifle that’s designed to excel in competition. This is the Bergara BMR-X Steel, a bolt-action that offers some match-grade features at a price that won’t break the bank.

Robert "Bob" Nosler Passes Away

Robert "Bob" Nosler, chairman of Nosler, Inc., passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 5, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.