The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a contract worth Rs 659.47 crore with a consortium of M/s MKU Ltd and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd to procure night sights (image intensifiers) and accessories for 7.62 x 51mm assault rifles for the Indian Army.
Enhancing Night Combat Capability
The night sights will allow soldiers to fully utilise the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle. These systems can engage targets up to 500 metres even under starlight, providing a significant improvement over existing passive night sights.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The procurement includes more than 51 per cent indigenous content, marking a major step towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. The initiative also supports MSMEs involved in component manufacturing and raw material supply.
India’s Defence Production and Exports Surge
Defence production in India has reached an all-time high of Rs 1.46 lakh crore, with exports rising to Rs 24,000 crore in 2024-25. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that production has grown from Rs 43,000 crore a decade ago, with the private sector contributing over Rs 32,000 crore. Exports, previously around Rs 600–700 crore, have surged to record levels.
Make-in-India Strengthens Security
Singh emphasised the importance of Make-in-India for national security and prosperity, citing the successful use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s capability to penetrate enemy armour.
National Conference on Defence Manufacturing
Earlier this month, the Defence Minister inaugurated a national-level conference on ‘Opportunities in Defence Manufacturing in the Country’ at Vigyan Bhawan. Organised by the Department of Defence Production, the event aimed to align regional industrial policies and infrastructure with the national goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
