NCIS contract calls for over 2,000 pistols to replace the aging fleet of refurbished M11 (SIG P228) pistols purchased more than 15 years ago. The contract represents the first “new” pistol procurement for NCIS agents since the agency’s inception. The new P229 and P239 models will be chambered in .40S&W and fitted with SIG SAUER’S exclusive DAKâ„¢ trigger system.

SIG SAUER P239 (photo from wikipedia)

The press release is after the jump:

EXETER, New Hampshire – SIG SAUER®, the leading manufacturer of law enforcement and military firearms and the recipient of numerous law enforcement and federal contracts, is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a major pistol contract with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

NCIS contract calls for over 2,000 pistols to replace the aging fleet of refurbished M11 (SIG P228) pistols purchased more than 15 years ago. The contract represents the first “new” pistol procurement for NCIS agents since the agency’s inception. The new P229 and P239 models will be chambered in .40S&W and fitted with SIG SAUER’S exclusive DAKâ„¢ trigger system.

The mission of NCIS is to investigate, resolve, and mitigate criminal, terrorist, and intelligence threats affecting the war-fighting capabilities of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. NCIS has approximately 2,400 personnel, including 1,200 special agents, in over 150 locations around the world.

“It’s my honor to receive the first of what will be a total of over 2,000 SIG SAUER .40 S&W caliber weapons destined for NCIS,” stated Ralph Blincoe, NCIS Deputy Director of Management and Administration. “As a federal law enforcement agency with a worldwide mission and presence, we are thrilled that SIG SAUER has been identified to supply our new generation of handguns. NCIS special agents have been carrying the SIG SAUER M11 pistol for almost 15 years, and we are excited that the Department of the Navy is making this investment to upgrade our weapons to insure that our operators are better equipped. I am also very impressed with SIG SAUER, Inc., President and CEO, Ron Cohen, and his team. It is clear that their “customer first” approach has already paved the way for a continued and superb partnership.”

The contract represents a collaborative effort between the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Crane Division, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and SIG SAUER, Inc.

“We are very proud that NCIS, and numerous other federal agencies over the last four years have selected SIG SAUER for their duty sidearm. This purchase, again, reflects that the world’s most demanding military and law enforcement agencies select SIG SAUER when they need the very best to protect our freedoms. We, as a global company, are committed to delivering the highest quality firearms and services to agencies that represent the first line of defense between the criminal and terrorist threat,” stated Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER.