SSS Defence Wins UP Police Order for 90 Indigenous P-72 Assault Rifles

Bengaluru-based private defence manufacturer SSS Defence Technologies has emerged as the winning bidder in a Uttar Pradesh Police procurement for 90 indigenously developed P-72 assault rifles. The procurement, valued at ₹69.01 lakh, marks another development in the growing adoption of Indian-designed small arms by domestic law enforcement agencies.

The procurement was conducted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under tender reference GEM/2026/B/7405760. The tender results identify SSS Defence Technologies Private Limited as the lowest-priced bidder following a competitive reverse auction.

The development strengthens the company’s position in India’s small-arms manufacturing sector, where domestic private manufacturers are increasingly competing with established public-sector weapons producers.

SSS Defence Secures Order for 90 P-72 Assault Rifles

The Uttar Pradesh Police initiated the procurement process on 7 April 2026, inviting bids for 90 automatic assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39 mm ammunition. The tender closed on 22 April, with the subsequent procurement process including technical evaluation and competitive price bidding.

A reverse auction conducted between 23 and 25 September 2026 resulted in SSS Defence emerging as the L1 bidder with a final quoted value of ₹69,01,200. Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), a government-owned defence manufacturer, ranked second with a bid of ₹69,08,580.

The tender-tracking record identifies the procurement as awarded, with the award date reported as 6 October 2026.

The outcome demonstrates the increasing ability of Indian private defence manufacturers to compete in government procurement programmes involving specialised weapons and security equipment.

P-72 Assault Rifle Developed and Manufactured in India

The P-72 is an indigenous 7.62×39 mm assault rifle designed and manufactured by SSS Defence. The weapon forms part of the company’s expanding portfolio of domestically developed small arms intended for military, paramilitary and law enforcement applications.

According to the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production, the P-72 uses a gas-operated, long-stroke piston mechanism and a milled receiver. The design incorporates an adjustable and folding buttstock, a 30-round magazine and selectable firing modes.

The standard rifle has a barrel length of approximately 414 mm and weighs around 3.8 kg. Its stated effective range is 400–500 metres.

The weapon also incorporates accessory mounting interfaces that allow users to integrate compatible optical sights and other mission-specific equipment.

An important design feature is its left-side, non-reciprocating charging handle, which distinguishes it from several conventional rifles in the same ammunition category.

These features reflect the manufacturer’s emphasis on developing a modern weapons platform suited to the operational requirements of professional security forces.

Uttar Pradesh Police Has Previously Procured 405 P-72 Rifles

The latest procurement builds on an existing relationship between SSS Defence and Uttar Pradesh’s specialised law enforcement units.

The Department of Defence Production’s official product database identifies an earlier order for 405 P-72 assault rifles for the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force.

That procurement established the P-72’s presence in the state’s specialised policing requirements. The additional 90-rifle order represents a further procurement of the same indigenous weapons platform.

SSS Defence has also supplied other domestically developed small arms to Indian security organisations, reflecting the company’s growing presence in the national defence and internal security market.

Indigenous Small-Arms Manufacturing Gains Momentum

SSS Defence operates as an Indian original equipment manufacturer specialising in small arms, precision weapons and associated defence systems. Established in 2017 as the defence division of the Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Group, the company draws on the group’s longstanding precision-engineering capabilities.

Its weapons portfolio includes assault rifles, carbines, submachine guns, pistols and precision rifles developed for professional security applications.

The company designs, develops and manufactures its weapon systems domestically, contributing to India’s broader objective of strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Domestic weapons development provides Indian security agencies with additional procurement options while supporting national expertise in precision engineering, advanced materials, machining and weapons manufacturing.

The participation of private companies in competitive procurement also broadens the domestic supplier base and encourages continued investment in product development and manufacturing infrastructure.

Competitive Procurement Supports India’s Defence Industrial Ecosystem

The latest Uttar Pradesh Police tender illustrates the growing role of Indian private manufacturers in supplying equipment to domestic security organisations.

SSS Defence’s successful bid against AWEIL demonstrates the increasingly competitive nature of India’s small-arms procurement market.

Such competition provides opportunities for manufacturers to demonstrate product capabilities, manufacturing quality and commercial competitiveness while responding to the requirements of security agencies.

The development also supports India’s wider efforts to reduce dependence on imported small arms and encourage the design and production of defence equipment within the country.

With the P-72 gaining additional procurement orders, SSS Defence continues to strengthen its position as an indigenous weapons manufacturer serving India’s law enforcement and security requirements.

The expansion of domestic small-arms manufacturing represents another step towards building a diversified and technologically capable Indian defence industrial ecosystem.

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References

1. Government e-Marketplace Procurement Record — GEM/2026/B/7405760. Procurement of 90 Automatic Assault Rifles, 7.62×39 mm, for Uttar Pradesh Police. Tender published on 7 April 2026. Reverse auction completed in September 2026.
   Procurement results: https://tenderdekho.com/tender-detail/td-1tIYay6alo
2. Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. SSS Defence P-72 — Product Description, Technical Specifications and Previous Orders.
   https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/hi/node/7446
3. SSS Defence Technologies Private Limited. Official Company and Indigenous Weapons Portfolio.
   https://www.sssdefence.com/

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