SOURCE: AFI
In a notable triumph for India’s private defense manufacturing sector, Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has emerged as the lowest bidder (L-1) in the Uttar Pradesh Police’s tender for the procurement of 2,000 assault rifles. The company’s M-72 Assault Rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, outshone competitors such as Kalyani Strategic Systems and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) by clearing the technical evaluation phase and offering the most competitive bid. This achievement underscores SSS Defence’s growing prominence in India’s small arms industry and its alignment with the nation’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The Uttar Pradesh Police tender, floated in March 2024, sought to equip its forces with 2,000 modern assault rifles to enhance operational capabilities in urban and rural security scenarios. After a rigorous evaluation process spanning nearly a year, SSS Defence’s M-72 Assault Rifle was declared the L-1 bidder on February 26, 2025, signaling a landmark win for the private firm. The company, a subsidiary of Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs, has been steadily carving a niche in India’s defense landscape since its foray into small arms production in 2016.
The M-72, part of SSS Defence’s P-72 family of rifles, is a lightweight, modular carbine designed for rapid engagement and versatility. Available in both 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm configurations, the rifle boasts a free-floating stainless steel barrel, a railed handguard with mounting options at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions, and an ergonomic pistol grip for enhanced control. Its adaptability, combined with a sleek design, makes it a compelling choice for law enforcement and military applications. The version selected by the UP Police, chambered in 5.56x45mm, offers a balance of accuracy, recoil management, and ammunition compatibility, ideal for the force’s diverse operational needs.
SSS Defence’s success in securing the L-1 position came against stiff competition from industry heavyweights. Kalyani Strategic Systems, part of the Bharat Forge group, and AWEIL, a public-sector entity known for its Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR), were among the frontrunners in the tender. However, the M-72’s performance in technical trials—coupled with SSS Defence’s cost-effective pricing—tipped the scales in its favor. This victory is particularly noteworthy given AWEIL’s prior success in supplying 405 TAR units to the UP Police in a smaller tender, highlighting the M-72’s edge in this larger procurement.
The tender process involved stringent technical evaluations to ensure the rifles met the UP Police’s requirements for reliability, durability, and ease of use in real-world conditions. Posts on X from defense enthusiasts and industry watchers hailed SSS Defence’s win as proof of its “mettle,” with some noting that the M-72’s modern design philosophy—akin to Western platforms like the FN SCAR or CZ Bren 2—outshone more traditional offerings from competitors.
This win follows SSS Defence’s earlier efforts to penetrate the Indian market, which has historically favored battle-proven foreign platforms like the AK-203 and Sig Sauer SIG716. While the Indian Army has yet to fully embrace SSS Defence’s offerings—opting instead for imports and joint ventures like the AK-203 production in Amethi—the UP Police tender demonstrates growing confidence in indigenous private manufacturers among domestic security forces. With a potential domestic market of over 400,000 small arms for police and paramilitary units, as estimated by industry analysts, SSS Defence is well-poised to capitalize on this demand.
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