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In 2017 Beretta acquired the Victrix Armaments brand from the Italian firm Rottigni.
Together with the better known American company Barrett, the two companies will be sharing an order of about 6 000 sniper rifles “along with Telescopic Sights and accessories” from India, starting with an “emergency delivery” of 24 sniper rifles to be delivered “very soon“.
India is a large country, and its borders are long. But 6 000 snipers rifles are a lot of sniper rifles, to say the least. That has to be a large chunk of the World market, even if the delivery is spread out over a few years.
The next (huge) issue is going to be training. Of course, almost anyone can be trained to shoot a bolt-action. But to train to conceal yourself, work in teams, spot the target and make an accurate shot which actually hits is not done in a few days.
To properly master calibers like the .338 Lapua Magnum and the .50 BMG out to extreme distances takes a lot of knowledge and experience.
Minerva Tactical Scorpio TGT
The Indians have specified rifles that are “Convenient to carry and operate by average built Indian soldier.” I am not sure they chose the correct rifles, if that is a key factor.
The new sniper rifles will replace India’s Dragunov sniper rifles, bought from Russia in the 1990:s, that lack modern features like Picatinny rails and bipods.
The new bolt-action sniper rifles include the Italian Minerva Tactical Scorpio TGT, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and made by Victrix Armaments.
Victrix Armaments
The other model is an American Model 95 .50 BMG bullpup rifle made by Barrett. (pictured below)
About the Barrett Model 95:
The bolt-action Model 95 represents the ideal balance of size and performance. Its innovative bullpup design minimizes overall length without sacrificing ballistic performance or accuracy of the proven 50 BMG cartridge.
Fed from a 5-round detachable box magazine, the combat-proven Model 95 is the pinnacle of simplicity for end users who demand precision, reliability, and power on the range or in the fight.
The sniper rifles are said to have a potential range of 1 500 to 1 800 meters.
Some 10,2 million rounds of ammunition are said to be part of the deal, of which 50% will be produced in India in a technology transfer between Nations.
There will be licensed manufacture of five million rounds of .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition under a transfer of technology to India’s state-owned Ordnance Factory Board and private-sector manufacturers. (New Indian Express)
I am very curious about which optic and mount the Indian Army chose with these rifles, but there are no details mentioned yet. Can India afford to purchase high-end optics as well?
According to the RFI (Request For Information):
The Sniper Rifle must be provided with an Open Sight as well as Telescopic Sight. The Telescopic sight shall have variable magnification suited for maximum effective range, illuminated cross hair reticule pattern for aiming and range estimation not less than 1300m.
India – The Country of Strange RFIs?
Some more details from the RFI. There are certainly a few strange wordings in there. To my knowledge most .338 Lapua Magnums deliver more than 800 m/s, yet the wording under (d) is “not more than 800 m/s”.
The retail price of the Model 95 in 2018 was $6,671 (Source), but India probably paid a little less. How much the Minerva Tactical Scorpio are we can only guess.
Don’t get me wrong. Victrix of Italy make some of the most sought-after sniper rifles, but within the Beretta group they have some very fine sniper rifles from both Tikka and Sako that would do the job for the Indian snipers for a fraction of the price (think Sako TRG 42 or Tikka TAC A1).
Current details don’t mention any ratio between the rifles from Victrix or Barrett, but I take my chances and assume that Victrix will get much higher volumes. Of course Victrix have Beretta behind them, but they are still a small company with limited production compared to, for instance, Sako/Tikka.
To give you an idea about deliveries, here is the RFI quoted:
After signing of the contract, the quantity required should be delivered commencing earliest but not later than three (03) months and completing earliest but not later than thirty six (36) months.
The Indian Army is spending a lot of money on new firearms. These 6 000 Sniper Rifles are only a small part of what is going on.
India Set to Buy 95,000 5.56 Carbines from Caracal
India buys 72,000 SIG Sauer 716-G2
CONFIRMED: SIG Sauer SIG716 for India
To compare, Germany sourced the G29 Sniper Rifle, which became the Haenel RS9 in .338 LM and recently decided to upgrade and retrofit their G22 sniper rifles.
Comparing the pictures of the sniper rifles chosen by India, I am thinking The Beauty and The Beast.
It is also funny that the names of the competing companies behind this deal are so similar: Barrett and Beretta.
