According to ANI on December 12, 2023, the Indian Army is set to acquire 70,000 Sig Sauer 716 assault rifles following the Defence Ministry’s approval on the same date. This procurement, with a budget exceeding Rs 800 crore ($95,908,880), is in response to India’s current security challenges, including the military standoff with China and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The selection of the Sig Sauer 716 rifles was made during a meeting with senior military and government officials, based on the need for a firearm with extended range and higher caliber compared to the currently used INSAS Rifle and AK-47 variants. This decision aligns with the ongoing initiative to modernize the Indian Army’s equipment. The rifles are expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian troops in the China border region and in Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, the Indian forces are in the process of integrating AK-203 rifles, produced under a joint venture near Amethi, and acquiring Russian AK-103 rifles, to further augment their operational readiness across various scenarios.
The SIG 716 is a battle rifle variant of the SIG 516 assault rifle, primarily differing in its chambering for the 7.62x51mm NATO round and the use of SR-25 pattern magazines. The SIG 516, an AR-15 style firearm chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, was introduced in 2010 and discontinued in 2019.
The SIG 716 G2, or Generation 2, is an updated version of the SIG716, incorporating a short-stroke pushrod gas system to mitigate carbon fouling, heat, and unburned powder in the action. The G2 series includes models like the G2 Patrol and the G2 DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle), the latter chambered in the 6.5mm Creedmoor round.