Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Defence (SSS Defence)[2] is an Indian company that deals in military small arms sectors. It is a subsidiary of Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs. Its current focus area is small arms, ammunition and accessories related to small arms.[3]
History
In 2016, Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs, the biggest Indian manufacturer of springs, started deliberating on ways to diversify its business. This led to the creation of SSS Defence.[4] This foray into the business of small arms and ammunition was primarily targeted onto the foreign markets located in Asia, apart from those in India.[5] It became the first private Indian firm to have developed sniper rifles when it’s Viper and Saber rifles were released.[6]
In October 2021, the firm received an order to upgrade some of Indian army's AK-47 rifles to special operations standard. This was the first time a private Indian company received a firearms order.[7][8]
Products and facilities
Products
Sniper rifles
SSS Defence has developed two sniper rifles and plans to offer them for trials to Indian special forces, being the Viper and the Saber.[9] SSS Defence says that these rifles have been designed to be compatible with the body structures of Indian soldiers.[10] In July 2024, the company secured the first export contract to a friendly foreign nation, though the product remains unknown. The company also received the contract of ammunition from several countries. The sum of these deal is around $50 million.[11][12]
Saber is a sniper rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. Its length and height can be adjusted at its butt stock.[13] It has a range of around 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).[9] The picatinny rail system on the rifle has a MIL-STD-1913 rail at a total of 4 positions. It has a weight of around 7 kilograms. When fully equipped with accessories, the Sabre weighs around 9 kilograms. The rifle has an ambidextrous magazine release. It can be equipped with three different types of barrels with lengths of 24, 26, and 27 inches respectively, its RH Twist being 1:11.25". The receiver system of the rifle is made up of aluminium alloy and the surface of the receiver is coated with cerakote and black oxide.[13]
Assault rifles
The company has also developed the P-72 family of rifles, with design philosophy similar to the ACR, FN Scar, and CzechCZ Bren 2 Family.[14]
P-72 Rapid Engagement Combat Rifle (RECR) was designed for general infantry and special operations environments. It is chambered for 7.62×39mm or 7.62×51mm.[15]
SSS Defence is projected to become the second Indian company to operate a small arms manufacturing facility by the end of 2020.[5] This facility will eventually be capable of producing 80,000 arms per year, starting with an initial 15,000 per year.[10] By 2021, it also plans to operationalise an ammunition manufacturing in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.[16]
