New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth Rs 659.47 crore to procure advanced Night Sights (image intensifiers) for the Indian Army’s 7.62×51 mm SIG 716 assault rifles. The deal, finalised on October 15, 2025, includes associated accessories and aims to significantly enhance the Army’s night-fighting capabilities.
According to the ministry, the new Night Sights will allow soldiers to accurately engage targets at distances of up to 500 metres, even under starlit conditions. The upgraded equipment marks a major improvement over the currently used Passive Night Sights, offering superior clarity, precision, and operational reliability in low-light environments.
The procurement has been classified under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, which mandates more than 51 per cent indigenous content. This move aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to boost self-reliance in defence production and reduce dependence on imports.
The contract was signed with a consortium led by MKU Ltd, with Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd as a partner. Both firms are expected to contribute to manufacturing, integration, and quality assurance processes to ensure timely delivery of the systems to frontline units.
The ministry emphasised that the project will not only enhance the operational effectiveness of the Army but also strengthen India’s defence industrial base. It is expected to generate new opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the production of components and supply of raw materials, further driving domestic technological innovation in the defence sector.
The introduction of these advanced Night Sights will allow soldiers to make full use of the SIG 716 rifle’s extended effective range, improving situational awareness and combat readiness across diverse terrains and operational scenarios.
