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Saturday, March 14, 2026
TopicAssault Rifles

Topic: Assault Rifles

India has world-class capabilities to manufacture rifles. SIG-716 is wasteful procurement

India has reached the dark side of the moon. Rifles are a far simpler technology to invest in.

India’s quest for small arms continues, with some twists and turns and heartburn along the way

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.

India & Russia begin joint manufacturing of AK 203 rifles in UP, might export them too

India and Russia had inked an agreement in December 2021 for procurement of 6,01,427 assault rifles through Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi.

Army puts out tender for 30k ‘night sights’ so its US-made assault rifles can aim better in dark

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.

AK-203 rifle deal with Russia finally cleared, to be inked when Putin comes calling next month  

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.

Army to equip all infantry battalions, not just frontline troops, with US Sig Sauer rifles

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.

NSG & ITBP allow foreign bidders for sniper rifles, months before embargo kicks in 

The 7.62x51mm sniper rifle is one of 101 items on the negative import list issued in August. Its import embargo kicks in December.

Domestic arms makers say Army plan to reorder SIG rifles from US setback to ‘Make in India’

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.

Two new Israeli assault rifles Arad and Carmel now set to be manufactured in India

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.

All you want to know about .303, the rifle being phased out after 75 yrs of service

The .303 rifles were handed over to the police forces after the disastrous 1962 India-China war forced the Army to give them up.

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Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.