Indian Army is buying new, more powerful US rifles: All you need to know

India has signed an agreement with US defence firm Sig Sauer for 72,400 assault rifles

Indian Army's frontline infantry soldiers will reportedly be equipped with new assault rifles under a Rs 700-crore contract between the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the US firm Sig Sauer.

MoD officials have told news agencies that the contract is for 72,400 assault rifles, which will be acquired under the fast-track procurement procedure. 

The procurement is part of the Army's bid in October 2017 to acquire around 700,000 assault rifles that can fire the 7.62x51mm cartridge, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines. The purchase of new assault rifles has witnessed significant delays because of the