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 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.
With Gen Z more likely to gamble online than visit casinos, operators are adding sports, spas, street food and social spaces to turn gaming venues into lifestyle destinations.
ICEYE builds microsatellites that are smaller, faster, and cheaper to produce. This allows satellites to be used in clusters, providing much faster and more accurate data.
At some point Pakistani dictators begin to show paranoia. That’s the strategic reality most relevant to India since the late fifties. Munir’s case is worse, like some sudden acrophobia.
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