India signs repeat order for 73,000 SIG 716 rifles UPSC

Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

The Ministry of Defence has signed a repeat order for 73,000 SIG 716 rifles from Sig Sauer of the U.S. and deliveries are expected to completed by end-2025.

Details

The acquisition of SIG rifles, especially the ones from the series SIG Sauer 716, forms an essential upgrade in the capabilities of the Indian Army's infantry.
The Indian Army completed the procurement of the SIG Sauer 716 G2 rifles in February 2019 as part of its modernization drive.
The Army has inducted 66,400 of the 72,400 SIG 716 assault rifles.
The rifles are issued to troops on the front line and mainly deployed along LoC with Pakistan.
This was part of the bigger decision to replace the INSAS rifles, already facing problems with their reliability.
SIG 716 rifles outperformed other competitors, such as the Caracal CAR817 and an Israeli rifle, in terms of their features and ability to adapt to Indian conditions.

SIG 716 rifles v/sIN SAS rifles

Feature	SIG Sauer 716	INSAS
*Country of Origin*	USA	India
*Service Entry*	2019 (Indian Army)	1998 (Indian Army)
*Caliber*	7.62x51mm NATO	5.56x45mm NATO
*Operating System*	Short-stroke gas piston	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
*Weight*	4.0 kg	4.15 kg (assault rifle variant)
*Muzzle Velocity*	800 m/s	900 m/s
*Effective Range*	600-800 meters	400 meters (assault rifle)
*Magazine Capacity*	20 rounds	20/30 rounds
*Fire Selector Options*	Semi-automatic only	Semi-automatic, 3-round burst, full-automatic
*Reliability*	High, especially in harsh conditions	Moderate, known for reliability issues
*Customization*	Highly customizable with modern optics and grips	Limited customization options
*Deployment*	Frontline infantry, counter-insurgency	General service rifle, replaced in frontline

Sources: Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q: Consider the following statements regarding INSAS Rifles:

1.INSAS rifle, developed by DRDO, was supposed to be a cheap and reliable service rifle made for the Indian Army.

2. These were highly successful in the Kargil war.

3. AK-47 replaced the INSAS rifles in front-line service because of its better reliability in different conditions.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The INSAS was developed by the DRDO to give the Indian Army a cost-effective, indigenous service rifle. It was chambered for the lighter 5.56x45mm NATO caliber, permitting soldiers to carry more ammunition.
Statement 2 is incorrect: There was a serious problem with INSAS rifles during the Kargil War, especially overheating and jamming during its usage in continuation. Reliability concerns, thus, were also raised about it in the cold, high-altitude environment of Kargil.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While the AK-47 has seen service all over the Indian forces, especially in counter-insurgency roles, the INSAS rifles are being replaced in frontline service largely by more modern rifles such as the SIG Sauer 716, not the AK-47.