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Sig Sauer to manufacture 73,000 assault rifles by 2025 for the Indian Army
Industry News- Nov 08,24
Sig Sauer also plans to increase the proportion of locally manufactured components, integrating more Indian technology and materials into its products.
In a significant boost to India's 'Make in India' initiative, U.S. arms manufacturer Sig Sauer has announced plans to produce a substantial portion of the 145,000 Sig 716 assault rifles ordered by the Indian Army within India. This marks a strategic shift following the completion of Sig Sauer’s initial delivery of 72,500 rifles for the Indian Army’s modernisation efforts, aligning with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Ron Cohen, CEO and President, Sig Sauer, announced the collaboration with Pune-based Nibe Group, highlighting India’s importance as the company’s largest procurement source globally. “India is now our largest procurement source worldwide, supporting operations in over 93 countries,” Cohen shared, noting the long-standing relationship between Sig Sauer and India.
Through its partnership with Nibe Group, Sig Sauer aims to meet India's defence requirements while establishing a sustainable production base. By 2025, the company plans to manufacture fully 'Made-in-India' products, initially focused on supplying the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Cohen stated, “In 2025, we’ll produce a fully Indian-made product, primarily for MOD and MHA.”
In addition, Sig Sauer has received a follow-up order from the Indian government for 73,000 more Sig 716 rifles, which will be delivered in phases throughout 2025. The order will be executed in close collaboration with Ganesh Nibe and Nibe Group, leveraging local production capabilities.
Looking ahead, Sig Sauer envisions India as a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for the Eastern Hemisphere. “India will serve as our operational base to cover much of the Eastern Hemisphere,” Cohen said, aligning with the company’s strategy to deepen its footprint in Asia. This move strengthens India’s role in Sig Sauer’s global supply chain and enhances its contributions to defense innovation and expertise.
Sig Sauer, renowned for its stringent quality standards, finds that India’s defense manufacturing capabilities align well with its expectations. “Sig Sauer is a premium brand and the largest firearms supplier to the U.S. military. Our quality standards are rigorous, and we find these well-matched in India,” Cohen added.
Sig Sauer also plans to increase the proportion of locally manufactured components, integrating more Indian technology and materials into its products. The company operates a procurement office in New Delhi to manage the growing localisation of production and sourcing.
Sig Sauer’s expanded operations in India underscore the growing defence cooperation between the U.S. and India. As the Indian military undergoes rapid modernisation, this collaboration signifies a deeper partnership that extends beyond procurement to include technology transfer, capacity building, and strategic alignment across the region.
(Republic World)
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