In a significant breakthrough for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has achieved yet another milestone by winning a prestigious contract to supply sniper rifles and advanced ammunition to Armenia. The order, which includes the cutting-edge Sabre .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles and a substantial $30 million package of match-grade ammunition, signals India’s growing role as a credible exporter of high-quality defence equipment. This development is not only a triumph for the company but also a reflection of the broader transformation underway in the Indian defence sector.
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| 338 Saber |
A New Chapter in India’s Defence Exports
For decades, India had been largely dependent on imports for its critical infantry weapons, often relying on foreign suppliers for rifles, carbines, and specialist systems such as long-range precision firearms. While the country had a strong track record in exporting smaller items such as spares, components, and non-lethal equipment, large-scale weapons exports remained limited.
The success of SSS Defence has begun to challenge this narrative. Over the past two years, the company has consistently demonstrated that indigenous private industry is capable of designing, developing, and producing world-class firearms tailored both for domestic security forces and international clients. Its expansion into the Armenian market is not an isolated achievement but rather a continuation of a strategic push to place India firmly on the global map as a defence exporter.
The Sabre Sniper Rifle: Designed in India, Built for Precision
At the heart of the Armenian contract lies the Sabre .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifle, a weapon that has drawn attention for its accuracy, modularity, and adaptability to varied operational environments. Unlike older Indian military small arms, which were often licenced copies or derivative designs, the Sabre represents a fully indigenous creation.
Key features include:
Calibre: .338 Lapua Magnum, one of the most respected long-range precision calibres globally.
Effective Range: Capable of engaging targets well beyond 1,500 metres with remarkable accuracy.
Modularity: Configurable stocks, adjustable bipods, and compatibility with modern optics allow soldiers to adapt the rifle to mission requirements.
Build Quality: The rifle is machined to exacting standards, ensuring consistent performance in harsh climatic conditions, from mountainous terrain to arid deserts.
These qualities made it particularly attractive to Armenia, a nation with unique security challenges that demand precision firepower for both defensive and deterrent purposes.
Ammunition Order Worth $30 Million
Equally significant is the accompanying ammunition package valued at $30 million. Precision rifles are only as good as the rounds they fire, and SSS Defence has invested heavily in manufacturing match-grade ammunition designed to deliver consistent velocity, minimal deviation, and reliable terminal performance.
The ammunition deal underscores two important dimensions:
Confidence in Indian Quality: Armenia’s willingness to source such a large consignment of live ammunition highlights trust in India’s ability to deliver not just weapons but also the consumables that sustain them.
Long-Term Partnership: Ammunition orders tend to be recurrent. By securing such a large deal, SSS Defence effectively ensures a long-term export relationship with Armenia, which may expand to cover other calibres and platforms in future.
Previous Export Successes: Laying the Groundwork
The Armenian deal did not emerge in a vacuum. In July 2024, SSS Defence secured its first international order, supplying sniper rifles to a friendly foreign nation along with nearly $50 million worth of ammunition. This watershed moment established the company’s credibility in a highly competitive global market.
By August 2025, the company had expanded exports to three Central European nations, while also negotiating with partners in two Asian countries. Each contract helped validate the company’s products and built the logistical and diplomatic framework necessary for larger orders such as the one from Armenia.
These successive breakthroughs point to a deliberate strategy: establish credibility through smaller deals, expand into diverse geographies, and then secure landmark contracts that reinforce India’s image as a dependable arms exporter.
Domestic Success: Police and Armed Forces
Parallel to its export achievements, SSS Defence has also made headway in the domestic market. In March 2025, it was awarded a contract to supply 2,000 M-72 carbines to the Uttar Pradesh Police, showcasing its ability to provide effective small arms to Indian law enforcement. Around the same time, the company unveiled a 9mm sub-machine gun and a designated marksman rifle (DMR), both designed with the feedback of operational users in mind.
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| M-72 Carbines |
In August 2025, SSS Defence introduced the Raptor assault rifle chambered in .300 Blackout, further broadening its product portfolio. It also supplied indigenous suppressors for Sako TRG sniper rifles used by the Indian Army, proving its competence in specialist equipment development.
These domestic successes are vital, as they not only sustain the company financially but also serve as proof-of-concept for potential export clients who take reassurance from domestic adoption.
The Armenian deal carries implications that go beyond a single company. It symbolises the realisation of India’s long-stated ambition to become a net exporter of defence equipment.
Key implications include:
Diplomatic Leverage: Defence exports create enduring defence partnerships. Armenia’s procurement of Indian rifles and ammunition is likely to strengthen bilateral ties.
Economic Boost: Orders worth tens of millions of dollars generate revenue, create skilled employment, and support India’s industrial base.
Self-Reliance: By proving that Indian private industry can deliver complex weapon systems, the contract complements the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) agenda.
Shift in Perceptions: Global buyers, traditionally sceptical of Indian arms due to quality concerns, may increasingly view India as a reliable supplier of niche but high-value products.
While the achievement is remarkable, SSS Defence will face challenges in scaling production to meet both domestic and international demand. Maintaining strict quality control, ensuring timely deliveries, and navigating export control regulations will be crucial.
At the same time, opportunities abound. With geopolitical tensions creating demand for reliable and affordable alternatives to Western and Russian weaponry, India is well-placed to offer competitive solutions. The Armenian deal may serve as a springboard to further contracts across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The export of Sabre sniper rifles and the $30 million ammunition order from Armenia mark a defining moment in the journey of SSS Defence and, by extension, the Indian defence industry. From being a nation heavily dependent on foreign suppliers, India is steadily moving towards the status of a credible arms exporter, offering indigenous solutions to partners across the globe.
SSS Defence’s rise embodies this transformation—an enterprise that began with bold ambitions is now reshaping perceptions of what Indian private industry can achieve in the defence domain. The Armenian deal is not merely a business transaction; it is a symbol of India’s evolving strategic stature, industrial maturity, and determination to play a larger role in shaping the global defence landscape.