The National Defence Academy (NDA) has inducted the SIG Sauer SIG716 assault rifle into its training curriculum to familiarise cadets with modern battlefield weapon systems at an early stage of military training.
Manufactured by SIG Sauer, the SIG 716 currently serves as the primary battle rifle of the Indian Army and is widely deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, especially in sensitive border and high-altitude regions.
According to Army officials, the induction of the rifle into the NDA armoury is aimed at exposing future officers to advanced infantry weapon systems before they proceed to service academies and operational units after commissioning.
Officials stated that the initiative seeks to improve firing standards, combat shooting proficiency, and weapon handling skills among cadets while aligning military training with evolving technological advancements in warfare.
The SIG 716, chambered for the 7.62×51 mm calibre, was inducted into the Indian Army through a fast-track procurement process in 2019 to enhance infantry firepower. Compared to older-generation rifles such as the INSAS rifle, the SIG 716 offers improved accuracy, superior stopping power, and greater reliability under harsh operational conditions.
Weapons training remains a core component of NDA training, particularly for Army-bound cadets. The programme focuses on firing accuracy, tactical movement, combat drills, and weapon handling through progressively advanced firing exercises.
According to NDA sources, cadets in their fourth term begin firing practice, while fifth and sixth term cadets undergo dedicated firing periods that include both application firing under simulated battlefield conditions and classification firing to assess individual accuracy and competency.
The SIG 716 now joins a diverse training arsenal at the academy that includes INSAS rifles, carbines, light machine guns, and various pistols, further strengthening the NDA’s focus on preparing future military leaders for modern combat environments.
