INDIAN ARMY FOR NEW 9MM PISTOLS

The Army’s Infantry Directorate has announced interest in acquiring an unspecified number of 9mm pistols for regular troops. The proposed weapon is to be used as a secondary weapon both during conventional and sub-conventional operations. The pistol needs to have ambidextrous handling with a silencer/ suppressor, preferably with side-rails for add-ons like a tactical light and laser aiming device. The new side-arm needs to be a robust weapon to replace the current OFB Ichhapore Pistol Auto 9mm IA that remains the standard issue for regular Army infantry (special forces use the Austrian Glock 17 and Belgian FN-35). Interest is likely to pour in from several quarters, including Italy’s Beretta (Px4 Storm), German-Swiss Sig Sauer (P226) and German Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen’s Walther P99. Some of these companies have aggressively marketed their wares at Indian trade shows in recent years. In 2009, the Indian Army had separately announced that it was looking for additional 9mm pistols for its special forces and para units.