New Delhi, October 25

Army is working to empower its infantry forces and one of the world’s best rifles, manufactured by US firearm major Sig Sauer, will be made available to them by the end of this year, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday.

In his closing remarks at the Field Marshal KM Cariappa memorial lecture here, he said a manufacturing unit for AK-203 rifles, an India-Russia joint venture, will start production and first set of rifles are expected to be available by the end of this year.

“To ensure there is no slippage in production, for the first time, the ordnance factory in Amethi is being headed by a serving Major General of the Army, who will be its CEO. We are confident the first set of rifles coming in dismantled state and assembled here will be available by the end of the year,” Gen Rawat said. “And, let me assure you, the best rifle available in the world, Sig Sauer from the US will be made available to the infantry by the end of this year,” he said. — PTI