The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) today approved the procurement of SIG SAUER Assault Rifles at a cost of approx. Rs.780 crore (US$ 105 million).
The approval was part of proposals for capital acquisitions of various equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces cleared by the DAC at an approximate cost of Rs 2,290 crore. These include procurement from Domestic Industry as well as Foreign vendors.
Under the Buy Indian) category, the DAC approved procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW). The HF radio sets will enable seamless communication for the field units of Army and Air Force and are being procured at an approx. cost of Rs. 540 crore.
The Smart Anti Airfield Weapon being procured at an approx. cost of Rs. 970 crore will add to the fire power of Navy and Air force.
The SIG SAUER Assault Rifles are meant for the equipment of front-line soldiers, an MoD release said.
The rifles purchase comes at a time of increased tensions between India and China.