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SIG 716 RIFLES

29th August, 2024

Source: Hindu

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

(c) 2 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.

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