Sig Sauer Expands Production to India, Set to Manufacture 73,000 Rifles by 2025

New Delhi, India — In a landmark move reinforcing India's 'Make in India' initiative, American arms manufacturer Sig Sauer has announced plans to produce a portion of 1,45,000 Sig 716 assault rifles ordered by Indian Army within India. This development follows Sig Sauer’s successful completion of an initial order for 72,500 assault rifles as part of Indian Army’s modernization efforts and marks a strategic shift toward localized production, aligning with government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Sig Sauer's CEO and President, Ron Cohen, shared announcement alongside Pune-based Nibe Group, a key Indian partner in this initiative. Cohen underscored India's importance to Sig Sauer, noting that India is now company’s largest procurement source globally. “We’ve been active in India for nearly two deces, and it has become our largest procurement source worldwide, operating across 93 countries,” Cohen told ANI. 

Future Vision: Fully Indian-Me Products by 2025 

Sig Sauer’s strategic partnership with Nibe Group aims to fulfil a significant portion of India’s defence requirements while also creating a sustainable production base in India. By 2025, Sig Sauer plans to manufacture fully 'Me-in-India' products for domestic market, with initial production targeting Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Cohen highlighted this ambitious goal, stating, “In 2025, we’ll be producing a fully Indian-me product, primarily for MOD and MHA.”

Cohen also revealed that company h received an ditional order from Indian government for 73,000 more Sig 716 rifles, which will be delivered progressively throughout 2025. This order, Cohen explained, will be executed in collaboration with Ganesh Nibe and Nibe Group, leveraging ir dynamic approach and localized capabilities. 

Building a Regional Hub in India 

Looking beyond India, Sig Sauer has plans to make country a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for eastern hemisphere. “Over time, India will serve as our operational base to cover majority of eastern hemisphere,” said Cohen. This development aligns with Sig Sauer’s strategy to expand its footprint in Asia, enhancing India’s role in company’s global supply chain and leveraging country’s engineering and manufacturing potential. company envisions India as a core contributor to its growth, not just as a production hub but as a centre of innovation and expertise. 

Sig Sauer is known for its stringent quality standards, which align well with India’s expanding capabilities in defence manufacturing. Cohen emphasized that company’s rigorous quality demands are reily met by Indian manufacturers, ding, “Sig Sauer is a premium company and largest firearms supplier to US military. Our quality requirements are exceptionally stringent, and we find se standards abundantly met in India.”

In dition, Sig Sauer plans to increase percentage of components manufactured locally, furr integrating Indian technology and materials into its products. Cohen noted that company operates a procurement office in New Delhi, which is instrumental in managing this increased localization of production and sourcing. 

collaboration with Nibe Group forms a cornerstone of Sig Sauer’s localized production approach in India. Nibe Group’s manufacturing expertise will be essential in facilitating large-scale production required to meet India’s defence demands. Cohen expressed confidence in Nibe’s dynamic approach and ir ability to support growing scale of production, ensuring seamless quality and delivery timelines. 

India’s substantial growth potential

India’s defence market holds substantial growth potential, fueled by government's commitment to reducing reliance on foreign imports and enhancing indigenous production capabilities. Sig Sauer’s plans align with this vision, with Cohen commenting, “ growth of Indian technology and market’s potential makes it an attractive hub for Sig Sauer beyond United States.” With full support of Indian government’s 'Make in India' initiative, Sig Sauer envisions a long-term relationship that will serve as a model for international companies looking to expand into Indian defence sector.

This move by Sig Sauer also strengns Indo-US defence cooperation, exemplifying close ties between two countries. With Indian military undergoing rapid modernization and looking to equip its forces with vanced weaponry, collaboration signals a deepened partnership that goes beyond procurement to involve technology transfer, capacity building, and regional strategic alignment.