Army has put in fresh order for 73,000 SIG 716 G2 patrol assault or battlefield rifles, chambered for 7.62x51 mm rounds from US firm SIG Sauer, attracting criticism for continued imports.
While an open tender has been issued for procurement of the optical instruments, Bengaluru-based firm Tonbo Imaging, whose services the Army has previously used, is a frontrunner.
Under deal approved by Defence Advisory Council, first 20,000 AK-203 rifles will be imported from Russia, and then, more than 6 lakh rifles will be manufactured in India.
At least 2 companies — about 100 soldiers each — in all infantry battalions are being given Sig 716, irrespective of whether they are in the field or at peace stations.
Army's fresh order for SIG assault rifles would mean over 1.4 lakh rifles will be bought off the shelf from US despite a domestic industry that manufactures a range of assault rifles.
The new rifles will replace the existing Indian Small Arms System (Insas) rifles used by the forces and manufactured locally by the Ordnance Factories Board.
The assault rifles will be manufactured under Make in India initiative in Madhya Pradesh by joint venture PLR Systems, which is already producing arms like Tavor.
SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.
Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.
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