American assault rifle, ammunition, parachute: units of special force of the army
"Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is going to preside over an important meeting, where the US Defense Department is expected to discuss the proposal to buy equipment worth over Rs 1,000 crore," said ANI.
The sources said that during the meeting, the Defense Minister will deliberate on various types of equipment including the rifle, ammunition and fighter-free parachutes for the units of special forces of parachute regiment.
He said, "If the proposal is passed, the equipment will be acquired in the government-to-government deal under the foreign military sales route from the United States."
The Indian Army already has American M4A1 Assault Rifles, which are used extensively by security forces in anti-terrorist operations. It has been learned that the government is also planning to equip Army's special forces with more carbine. These carbine will be like the Belgium Rifles which are used by the Special Protection Group (SPG) to protect the Prime Minister.
In February, the Ministry of Defense had made a deal to purchase 72,400 7.6 mm Sig Sawyer Assault Rifles under fast-track processes. PTI had said that this deal worth 700 crore was aimed at modernization of infantry.
Sieg Sawer Assault Rifle is already being used by the Armed Forces in America and several European countries. Sources told PTI that the Ministry of Defense has asked the American firm to deliver the rifles within a year. Indian Army will get a rifle - 66,400 - one rifle, while Indian Air Force and Indian Navy will get 4,000 and 2,000 rifles respectively.
Attack rifles can play an important role in enhancing the firepower of soldiers in areas on the border with Pakistan and China. Sig Sawyer Asault Rifles are famous for their firepower as well as reliability in extreme weather conditions.
(With ANI inputs)
