India signs contract for Sig Sauer assault rifles for army

February 12, 2019 17:50

Defence Ministry: India signs contract for acquiring 72,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles for the Indian Army under fast-track procedures.

PTI had reported that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved the procurement of the Sig Sauer rifles, which will be used by troops deployed along the nearly 3,600-km border with China.

They said the rifles, being used by US forces as well as several other European countries, are being bought under the fast-track procurement procedure.

"The contract is expected to be finalised within a week. The US firm will have to deliver the rifles within one year from the date of finalising the deal," said a senior official involved in negotiation of the deal said.Army sources said the US-manufactured rifles will replace the INSAS rifles.

The world's second-largest standing Army has been pressing for fast-tracking the procurement of various weapons systems considering the evolving security threats, including along India's borders with Pakistan and China.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Should Dhoni bat higher up the order?

West Indies batting great Brian Lara believes CSK's Mahendra Singh Dhoni won't consider a promotion in the batting order.

Can Gukesh maintain lead in Candidates' Chess?

Gukesh to clash with Alireza on what promises to be a photo finish

Struggling Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans in battle of cellar teams

Their campaigns wobbling after a string of defeats, bottom-rung teams Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans will be desperate to arrest the slide and get back to winning ways in their Indian Premier League match in Mullanpur on Sunday.

It's perform or perish time for RCB against KKR

With five consecutive defeats, bottom-placed RCB have the daunting task of winning their remaining seven games to keep their play-off prospects alive.

Kejriwal being pushed towards 'slow death' in Tihar: AAP

Kejriwal, who has Type-2 diabetes, has been asking for insulin and a video conferencing with his family doctor but his requests are being denied by the jail administration, party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said in a press conference.