India signs repeat order for 73,000 SIG 716 rifles

Context: The
Ministry of Defence has signed a repeat order for 73,000 SIG 716 rifles from
Sig Sauer of the U.S. and deliveries are expected to complete by end-2025. The
contract was signed in June 2024 and delivery is within 18 months of contract.
The Army has earlier procured and inducted 72,400 SIG 716 rifles through
fast-track procurement under a ₹700-crore contract signed in February 2019.

INSAS
(Indian Small Arms System)

·       About: The INSAS,
or Indian Small Arms System, is a family of infantry arms consisting of
an assault rifle and a light machine gun (LMG). These weapons were developed in
India by the Armament Research and Development Establishment and manufactured
by the Ordnance Factories Board at its various factories. It was the standard
infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces for almost three decades.

·       History: The
development of the INSAS began in the mid-1980s, when the Indian Army released
a general staff qualitative requirement for a new assault rifle to replace
locally produced licensed copies of the L1A1 self-loading rifles, which the
Army was using since 1961. The new assault rifle was to chamber it in 5.56×45mm
NATO, unlike the L1A1 SLR rifle which is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. The INSAS
assault rifles are being replaced in the army with the AK-203 assault rifles
and the SIG 716i designated marksman rifles. The LMG variant is being replaced
with the IWI Negev.

·       Design: The INSAS
is primarily based on the AKM but incorporates features from other rifles. It
has a chrome-plated bore. The barrel has six-groove rifling. The basic gas
operated long stroke piston and the rotating bolt are similar to the AKM/AK-47.