The result of the post-covid world has started to be reflected in the policies of India. During the time, every country was saving its interest and imposed a very high embargo on the export of critical goods, leaving the import-dependent country on sinking boats. Learning the lesson, India also decided to be Aatmanirbhar by bringing an overhaul change in its economy, security, and foreign policies.
India cancels Sig Sauer deal
In the latest development of the report, India has decided to do away with a repeat order of about 72,400 SIG SAUER Assault Rifles for the cost of Rs 780 crore. Citing the various operational glitches, the supplement procurement of the Sig Sauer deal has been cancelled.
In early 2019, when India was facing constant border tensions with China & Pakistan and the frequent sniping and shootout along the Pakistan border reflected a deep problem in the guns used by the army. Most of the guns used by the Indian army are Indian-made INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System) and Russian Ak-47. Further, the outdated model and updated fighting conditions created a deep understanding to replace the currently used guns by the army.
But at the instant mass level replacement could not be possible due to the size & selection of weapons. So for the urgent requirement of frontline forces, India through FTP (Fast Track Procurement) decided to procure about 72,400 US-made SIG-716 assault rifles for the emergency use of front-line forces on borders.
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The Glitches
According to the sources, the official reason for cancelling the Sig Sauer deal has been attributed to the ‘operational flaws’ such as ‘jamming’ while shooting with the locally procured 7.62 mm cartridges. Further, the reports of very high recoil and damage to the gun while firing have also been cited as the reason. Glitches are one of the reasons for cancelling the Sig Sauer deal; the other reason involved the developing geopolitical situation.
Post covid & Ukraine war, situations have changed around the world & India is now more aggressive in instances of foreign relations. The effort is to develop a strong base of the indigenous defence industry to supply the most of military requirements through domestic vendors & keep the foreign policy independent of any other country’s influence.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the floor of the lower house during the 2022-23 budget discussion said that “out of the allocated budget of the defense ministry – 68% will be used for the purchase of locally produced weapons and systems to boost self-reliance in the defense sector”. His statement is a reflection of the government’s overall push for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In furtherance of the philosophy, India wants to be self-sufficient in the supply of critical needs of the country.
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Aatmanirbhar in guns production
India, rather than going with American-made guns, will now push for indigenous production of over 7 lakhs guns required for its replacement of INSAS & AK-47. Concerning this, the updated model of AK-47, over 6 lakhs AK 203 assault rifles are to be manufactured at Amethi (UP).
With the complete technology transfer, the joint venture of the state-owned company Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd and Russian Rosoboronexport, the Indo Russian Rifles Private Ltd will be manufacturing the whole lot of 6 lakhs AK 203 and in future will export to other friendly countries.
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The other company which is ready to disrupt the both US and Russian guns market in India is the domestic Indian company SSS Defence (Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Group Company). The company has already won the contract to upgrade the AK-47 of the Indian Army’s special forces. With its AK UPGRADE KIT, the old engineered guns will be attached with the latest technology & accessories kits like tactical buttstock, cheek rest, and putt pad. Further, the Night sights, UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher), torches, or laser aiming devices are also made compatible with the veteran AK-47.
Moreover, the company is also ready to supply its flagship products like the 338 Saber Sniper Rifles and the P-72 assault rifles which form the major inventory of the military’s guns.
The cancellation of the Sig Sauer deal may be attributed to the combined geopolitical situations around the world, the latest push for Indigenous technology by the government of India, and the glitches in the US-made guns. The earlier philosophy of import will exit the procurement policy and transfer the technology & made in India making Aatmanirbhar will be the guiding philosophy of the Indian policy of procurement.
