INDIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ENTERS NEGOTIATION PERIOD WITH SIG SAUER & CARACAL
SIG SAUER and Caracal International LLC are courting the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) to secure a $503 million contract to provide the Indian Army’s infantry troops with over 72,000 SIG 716 battle rifles and an undisclosed amount of CAR816 carbines to replace the Indian Army’s problematic 1B1 INSAS.
According to MilitaryTimes.com, the shift from 5.56 NATO with the 1B1 to the larger-caliber 7.62 NATO with the SIG 716, provides the Indian Army’s infantry troops a more reliable weapon which they currently lack. Troops have complained of the 1B1’s untimely stoppages and mechanism failures. The Indian MoD had hoped the 1B1 INSAS would have a long and storied career for its (at-the-time) next-generation gun.
The SIG 716 uses a short stroke piston-driven operating system with a heavier push rod than its smaller version, the 516 (chambered for 5.56 NATO) and a 16-inch hammer-forged free floating barrel. An ambidextrous mag release, tons of rail space for electronics and optics, plus a telescoping Magpul stock round out the features on the rifle (sigsauer.com).
CAR816
Caracal International LLC is a UAE-based defense contractor, but the CAR816 is manufactured in the U.S. (caracalusa.com). The CAR816 is similar to the M4, firing the 5.56 NATO round. Similar to the SIG 516 and the SIG 716, the CAR816 uses a short-stroke push rod gas piston design controlled by a 3-position gas valve and has a 16-inch barrel. The CAR816 will be used as a close quarters battle (CQB) weapon, replacing the smaller caliber 9mm Sterling.
ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL LTD. AWARDED CONTRACT TO UPGRADE GERMAN ARMY’S G22 SNIPER RIFLES
Accuracy International Ltd. announced it has been awarded the contract to upgrade the German Army’s G22 Sniper Rifles through its German agent POL-TEC. Accuracy International (AI) will refurbish and upgrade the current G22 and G22A1 rifles to the new G22A2 platform. The rifles will remain in the 7.62×67 caliber.
G22A1
“Thank you to the German Army for awarding us with this contract to upgrade their sniper rifles to the G22A2, a superior rifle with full capabilities,” said Tom Irwin, Director of AI. “We look forward to working with our German agent POL-TEC and the BAAINBw to deliver these rifles.”
G22A2
The updated G22A2 rifle was introduced by Accuracy International in 2018. It is an all-weather, day and night, AX-style rifle with user configurability and mission adaptability. The rifle features a full-length action and a forend rail with right-side folding stock over the bolt. The updated G22A2 is in AI Pale Brown with modern accessories.
The German Army ordered 780 which will be delivered by 2020.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AWARDS OLIN-WINCHESTER A 9MM CALIBER RITA AMMUNITION CONTRACT
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently awarded Olin-Winchester a major ammunition contract. Starting delivery this year, the contract provides for up to 62.5 million rounds of 9mm caliber “Readily Identifiable Training Ammunition” (RITA) to multiple Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement components and other federal agencies for up to 5 years. This contract will provide the organization’s agents and officers with 9mm caliber training ammunition.
The 9mm/115-grain FMJ product, assembled with a distinctive “purple” colored brass shell case, will complement existing Winchester .40SW and .223 RITA products that have been in service for DHS training efforts for several years.
