Night ops boost: Army to get high-tech night sights under Rs 659.47 crore deal - why it matters

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a contract worth Rs 659.47 crore for the procurement of Night Sights (Image Intensifiers) and accessories for the Indian Army ’s 7.62x51mm SIG 716 Assault Rifles .

The advanced Night Sights will allow soldiers to fully exploit the longer effective range of the rifles and engage targets at distances of up to 500 metres, even under starlit conditions. The statement said these sights provide a major improvement over existing Passive Night Sights (PNS) and will enhance operational effectiveness during night-time and low-light operations.

Classified as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case with over 51% indigenous content, the procurement marks a significant step towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing . Officials said the initiative will also support MSMEs involved in component manufacturing and raw material supply, strengthening the domestic defence ecosystem.

This deal aligns with the Army’s ongoing modernisation efforts, which include upgrading small arms, optics, and tactical accessories to meet contemporary battlefield requirements.