Indian Defence Ministry Secures Rs 659 Crore Deal for Advanced Night Vision Technology for SIG 716 Rifles

The Ministry of Defence has finalized a contract valued at Rs 659.47 crore for the acquisition of Night Sights with image intensifier technology for the 7.62x51 mm SIG 716 assault rifles, including related accessories for the Indian Army, as stated in an official announcement released by the ministry.

These Night Sights will empower military personnel to maximize the extended effective range capabilities of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle.

According to the official statement, the newly acquired Night Sights will facilitate precise target engagement at distances up to 500 metres, even under minimal starlight conditions, representing a substantial enhancement over the currently deployed Passive Night Sights (PNS).

The acquisition falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, with indigenous content exceeding 51 percent, marking a notable advancement toward Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in domestic defense manufacturing.

As per the ministry, this initiative is anticipated to strengthen local defense industry capabilities while generating opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in component manufacturing and raw material supply chains.

The agreement was executed with a consortium comprising M/s MKU Ltd (Lead Member) and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd on October 15, 2025. The Defense Ministry confirmed that these Night Sights will allow soldiers to fully utilize the extended effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle.