SSS Defence explained
Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Defence (SSS Defence)[2] is an Indian company that deals in military small arms sectors. It is a subsidiary of Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs. Its current focus area is small arms, ammunition and accessories related to small arms.[3]
History
In 2016, Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs, the biggest Indian manufacturer of springs, started deliberating on ways to diversify its business. This led to the creation of SSS Defence.[4] This foray into the business of small arms and ammunition was primarily targeted onto the foreign markets located in Asia, apart from those in India. It became the first private Indian firm to have developed sniper rifles when it’s Viper and Saber rifles were released.[5]
In October 2021, the firm received an order to upgrade some of Indian army's AK-47 rifles to special operations standard. This was the first time a private Indian company received a firearms order.[6] [7]
Products and facilities
Products
Sniper rifles
SSS Defence has developed two sniper rifles and plans to offer them for trials to Indian special forces, being the Viper and the Saber.[8] SSS Defence says that these rifles have been designed to be compatible with the body structures of Indian soldiers.[9] In July 2024, the company secured the first export contract to a friendly foreign nation, though the product remains unknown. The company also received the contract of ammunition from several countries. The sum of these deal is around $50 million.[10] [11]
- Viper is a sub-MOA sniper rifle chambered for 7.62×51mm or .308 cartridges. It has a proven range of more than 1000m (3,000feet).
- Saber is a sniper rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. Its length and height can be adjusted at its butt stock. It has a range of around 1500m (4,900feet). The picatinny rail system on the rifle has a MIL-STD-1913 rail at a total of 4 positions. It has a weight of around 7 kilograms. When fully equipped with accessories, the Sabre weighs around 9 kilograms. The rifle has an ambidextrous magazine release. It can be equipped with three different types of barrels with lengths of 24, 26, and 27 inches respectively, its RH Twist being 1:11.25". The receiver system of the rifle is made up of aluminium alloy and the surface of the receiver is coated with cerakote and black oxide.[12]
Assault rifles
The company has also developed the P-72 family of rifles, with design philosophy similar to the ACR, FN Scar, and Czech CZ Bren 2 Family.[13]
Facilities
SSS Defence is projected to become the second Indian company to operate a small arms manufacturing facility by the end of 2020.[15] This facility will eventually be capable of producing 80,000 arms per year, starting with an initial 15,000 per year. By 2021, it also plans to operationalise an ammunition manufacturing in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.[16]
The firm has established a joint venture with Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos for this purpose.[17] This facility will produce ammunition, including 12.7mm, 9mm, 7.62×51mm, 7.62×39mm and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Notes and References
- Web site: SSS Defence | OUR COMPANY.
- https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20201116-mired-in-red-tape-1738898-2020-11-08
- Web site: SSS Defence Home. www.sssdefence.com. 2020-02-07.
- Web site: We create weapons with attributes that foreign ones lack, says CEO of startup behind India's first sniper rifles. 2020-02-07. CNBC TV18. en-US. 2020-02-07.
- News: In a first, two indigenous sniper rifles developed by Bengaluru-based firm. 14 October 2019. Asian News International. 4 November 2019. India Today.
- Web site: Livefist. Team. 2021-10-31. Beating Israeli Contender, Indian Co To Upgrade Army's AK-47. 2021-11-01. Livefist Defence. en-US.
- Web site: Philip. Snehesh Alex. 2021-10-31. Bengaluru's SSS Defence beats Israeli firm, will be first from India to upgrade Army's AK-47s. 2021-11-01. ThePrint. en-US.
- News: Bangalore: In a 1st, Bengaluru firm designs, develops two sniper rifles. 13 September 2019. The Times of India. 4 November 2019.
- Web site: DefExpo-2020: Made in India Viper and Sabre snipers! Check details. 2020-01-30. The Financial Express. en-US. 2020-02-11.
- Web site: 2024-07-09 . India becomes exporter of sniper rifles, Bengaluru firm bags mega contract from friendly nation . 2024-07-09 . ThePrint . en-US.
- Web site: India Becomes Exporter of Sniper Rifles For The First Time As Bengaluru Firm Bags International Contract . 2024-07-10 . News18 . en.
- Web site: Defexpo 2020: SSS Defence displays new sniper rifles. 5 February 2020. Jane's Defence Weekly. 2020-02-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20200208080642/https://www.janes.com/article/94121/defexpo-2020-sss-defence-displays-new-sniper-rifles. 2020-02-08.
- Web site: 2021-08-27 . AK 203 vs P-72: Is Army Against Indigenous Weapons? » . 2022-05-09 . DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network . en-US.
- Web site: 2020-09-15 . SSS Defence » New leader in Indian private sector defence manufacturing . 2022-05-09 . DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network . en-US.
- Web site: Defence Expo 2020: This Startup And A 30-Year-Old Firm Have One Thing In Common. Manghat. Sajeet. 2020-02-08. BloombergQuint. en. 2020-02-08.
- Web site: Defence Expo 2020: Bengaluru startup builds India's first indigenous sniper rifle prototypes. Vaishnav. Ajay. February 7, 2020. CNBC TV18. en-US. 2020-02-08.
- Web site: Rs 1,020 crore arms factory to come up in Anantapur. 1 January 2019. The New Indian Express. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717073255/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/jan/01/rs-1020-cr-arms--factory-to-come-up-in-anantapur-1919110.html. 17 July 2019. 9 February 2020.
