India’s Indigenous Sniper Rifle, Made By Bengaluru-Based Firm, Outshines American Barrett In Police Commando Competition: Report

The National Security Guard (NSG) on Thursday (20 February) won the All India Police Commando Competition in the sniper category, using an Indian firm-made rifle and outperforming American and other foreign-made sniper rifles used by elite commando teams from central and state forces.

This victory also marked a significant milestone, as the NSG competed using the .338 Saber sniper rifle, a weapon designed and manufactured by Bengaluru-based SSS Defence, The Print reported.

According to the report, going up against the top sniper rifles from across the world in service with the Commando forces in the country, the .338 Saber managed to not only hit the target with perfect accuracy but also excelled all other parameters in the sniping competition.

The second position was reportedly won by Force One of Maharashtra Police, which relied on the American-made Barrett 50 Cal, a sniper rifle considered as one of the best in the world.

The Barrett is widely used by US Special Forces and has been procured in limited numbers by the Indian Army to bolster its firepower along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Saber.338 is the only indigenously designed and manufactured sniper rifle in the most reputed of sniper calibers—.338 Lapua Magnum, The Print reported.

The rifle has an effective range of 1,500 meters with an accuracy of sub 1 Minute of Angle MoA (an MoA is a group size of 3 cm x 3 cm at 100 metres).

It is equipped with a "27-inch match barrel (made in India), monolithic chassis with 2 stage trigger, suppressor compatible with the suppressor designed and made in India," the report said.

Despite having a Barret MRAD sniper, the NSG reportedly opted to go ahead with the one by SSS Defence for the competition.

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