{{short description|Indian firearms manufacturer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Defence | logo = Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Defence logo.png | type = Subsidiary | foundation = 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sssdefence.com/company|title=SSS Defence | Our Company}}</ref> | location = Bengaluru, India | owner = | key_people = | industry = Defense | products = Firearms, weapon | revenue = unknown | num_employees = | parent = Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs | homepage = {{URL|https://www.sssdefence.com/|sssdefence.com}} }} '''Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Defence'''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Dhingra |first=Jayesh |date=5 February 2020 |title=Defexpo 2020: SSS Defence displays new sniper rifles |url=https://www.janes.com/article/94121/defexpo-2020-sss-defence-displays-new-sniper-rifles |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208080642/https://www.janes.com/article/94121/defexpo-2020-sss-defence-displays-new-sniper-rifles |archivedate=2020-02-08 |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=Jane's Defence Weekly}}</ref> ('''SSS Defence''')<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unnithan |first=Sandeep |date=2020-11-08 |title=Mired in red tape |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20201116-mired-in-red-tape-1738898-2020-11-08 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SSS Defence: Indigenous OEM In The Rapidly Growing Defense Industry Of India |url=https://www.theindustryoutlook.com/machinery-and-equipment/vendor/sss-defence-indigenous-oem-in-the-rapidly-growing-defense-industry-of-india-cid-1564.html |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=theindustryoutlook.com}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vaishnav |first=Ajay |date=2020-02-07 |title=We create weapons with attributes that foreign ones lack, says CEO of startup behind India's first sniper rifles |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/startup/we-create-weapons-with-attributes-that-foreign-ones-lack-says-ceo-of-startup-behind-indias-first-sniper-rifles-5244781.htm |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=CNBC TV18 |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name="bloomquintFeb2020"/> It became the first private Indian firm to have developed sniper rifles when it’s Viper and Saber rifles were released.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/in-a-first-two-indigenous-sniper-rifles-developed-by-bengaluru-based-firm-1609027-2019-10-14|title=In a first, two indigenous sniper rifles developed by Bengaluru-based firm|date=14 October 2019|work=Asian News International|access-date=4 November 2019|via=India Today}}</ref>
In October 2021, the firm received an order to upgrade some of Indian army's AK-47 rifles to special operations standard.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2021-10-31|title=Bengaluru's SSS Defence beats Israeli firm, will be first from India to upgrade Army's AK-47s|url=https://theprint.in/defence/bengalurus-sss-defence-beats-israeli-firm-will-be-first-from-india-to-upgrade-armys-ak-47s/759716/|access-date=2021-11-01|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> This was the first time a private Indian company received a firearms order.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-10-31 |title=Beating Israeli Contender, Indian Co To Upgrade Army's AK-47 |url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/edging-out-israeli-contender-indian-firm-to-upgrade-armys-ak-47-rifles/ |access-date=2021-11-01 |website=Livefist Defence |language=en-US}}</ref>
In July 2024, the company secured the first export contract to a friendly foreign nation, though how many Saber sniper rifles were ordered remains unknown.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2024-07-09 |title=India becomes exporter of sniper rifles, Bengaluru firm bags mega contract from friendly nation |url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-becomes-exporter-of-sniper-rifles-bengaluru-firm-bags-mega-contract-from-friendly-nation/2166312/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Linganna |first=Girish |date=2024-07-11 |title=Indigenous Sniper Rifle: The Sabre Propels India’s Self-Reliance In Defence – Analysis |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/11072024-indigenous-sniper-rifle-the-sabre-propels-indias-self-reliance-in-defence-analysis/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240713182641/https://www.eurasiareview.com/11072024-indigenous-sniper-rifle-the-sabre-propels-indias-self-reliance-in-defence-analysis/ |archive-date=2024-07-13 |access-date=2025-12-22 |work=Eurasia Review |language=en-US}}</ref> The company also received the contract of ammunition from several countries.<ref name="contract">{{Cite web |last=Pal |first=Pragati |date=2024-07-09 |title=India Becomes Exporter of Sniper Rifles For The First Time As Bengaluru Firm Bags International Contract |url=https://www.news18.com/india/india-becomes-exporter-of-sniper-rifles-for-the-first-time-as-bengaluru-firm-bags-international-contract-8960159.html |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The sum of these deals is around $50 million.<ref name="contract"/>
In March 2025, SSS Defence won a contract to provide the Manohar M72 carbine to the Uttar Pradesh Police with 2,000 M72s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=भारत की M72 मात्र ₹93000 में, कैसे इन 4 हाई-टेक बंदूकों को पछाड़ती है ये देसी राइफल? |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/national/manohar-m72-can-beat-these-4-advanced-rifles-in-comparison-foreign-weapons/2683607 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Zee News Hindi |language=hi}}</ref> In the same month, the company unveiled a submachine gun chambered in 9mm Parabellum and a DMR.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=SSS Defence Launches Indigenous Submachine Gun and DMR |url=https://imrmedia.in/sss-defence-launches-indigenous-submachine-gun-and-dmr/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=imrmedia.in |publisher=Indian Military Review}}</ref> In August 2025, the company released the Raptor, which is an assault rifle chambered in .300 Blackout.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-08 |title=SSS Defence Launches A New Indigenous Raptor Assault Rifle For Indian Special Forces |url=https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2025/08/sss-defence-launches-new-indigenous.html |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=indiandefensenews.in}}</ref>
In September 2025, a friendly nation placed additional orders for the company's .338 Lapua Magnum caliber sniper weapon. Additionally, it has a $30 million contract that is now being carried out for the supply of 7.62×51mm rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2025-09-08 |title=SSS Defence gets additional order from friendly nation for sniper rifles, $30 mn worth ammunition |url=https://theprint.in/defence/sss-defence-gets-additional-order-from-friendly-nation-for-sniper-rifles-30-mn-worth-ammunition/2738186/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> The company won a deal in December to equip the National Security Guard with 500 units of G72 9x19 mm carbines and accessories, which is expected to cost ₹50 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=A. |date=2025-12-22 |title=NSG Places First Operational Order for 500 G72s SMGs from SSS Defence |url=https://www.thedefensenews.com/news-details/NSG-Places-First-Operational-Order-for-500-G72s-SMGs-from-SSS-Defence/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=The Defense News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-22 |title=SSS Defence Secures L1 Status For NSG's 500 9×19mm Carbines |url=https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2025/12/sss-defence-secures-l1-status-for-nsgs.html |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=indiandefensenews.in}}</ref>
On 21 February 2026, SSS Defence announced its "firm decision" to bid in the Project Grayburn competition. The project, which is still in concept stage, aims to replace the current service rifle family of the British Army, the SA80 series, with a new one. The next generation family will consist of five distinct variants with an order of over 2 lakh rifles. The contract period spans 17 years between 1 April 2028 and 31 March 2045.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pant |first=Vaibhav |date=2026-02-22 |title=In a first, Indian small arms maker to bid for UK Project Grayburn to replace British Army’s SA80 rifles |url=https://theprint.in/defence/in-a-first-indian-small-arms-maker-to-bid-for-uk-project-grayburn-to-replace-british-armys-sa80-rifles/2860726/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=2025230576375267501 |user=sssdefence |title=We have taken a firm decision to pursue participation in the UK MoD’s Project Grayburn... |date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-02-22}}</ref>
== Products and facilities ==
=== Pistols === * G72-P
=== Submachine Guns === * G72
=== 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.<ref name="toi1">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Chethan |date=13 September 2019 |title=Bangalore: In a 1st, Bengaluru firm designs, develops two sniper rifles |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-a-1st-bengaluru-firm-designs-develops-two-sniper-rifles/articleshow/71118461.cms |access-date=4 November 2019 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> SSS Defence says that these rifles have been designed to be compatible with the body structures of Indian soldiers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=2020-01-30 |title=DefExpo-2020: Made in India Viper and Sabre snipers! Check details |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/defexpo-2020-made-in-india-viper-and-sabre-snipers-check-details/1839571/ |access-date=2020-02-11 |website=The Financial Express |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Viper is a sub-MOA sniper rifle chambered for 7.62×51mm or .308 cartridges. It has a proven range of more than {{Convert|1000|m|ft}}.<ref name="toi1" /><ref name=":1" /> * Saber is a sniper rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. Its length and height can be adjusted at its butt stock.<ref name=":2" /> It has a range of around {{Convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=}}.<ref name="toi1" /> 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.<ref name=":2"/> * T72 DMR/Battle Rifle
=== Assault rifles === The company has also developed the P-72 family of rifles, with design philosophy similar to the ACR, FN Scar, and the CZ Bren 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deb |first=Sheershoo |date=2021-08-27 |title=AK 203 vs P-72: Is Army Against Indigenous Weapons? » |url=https://www.defencexp.com/ak-203-vs-p-72-is-army-against-indigenous-weapons/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Gore |first=Prasad |date=2020-09-15 |title=SSS Defence » New leader in Indian private sector defence manufacturing |url=https://www.defencexp.com/sss-defence-new-leader-in-indian-private-sector-defence-manufacturing/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network |language=en-US}}</ref> * P-72 Recon Carbine is a short, gas piston-operated weapon chambered for 7.62×39mm or 5.56×45mm cartridges.<ref name=":4" /> * P-72 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) comes in both 7.62×51mm and 7.62×39mm. This provides a range of around {{Convert|800|m|ft}}.<ref name=":4" />
* Manohar 72 (M72) carbine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-16 |title=नेता के नाम पर बंदूक! भारत में बनी देसी M72 राइफल, खासियत ऐसी कि भूल जाएंगे AK-47 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/national/manohar72-m72-carbine-a-desi-rifle-milestone-for-sss-defence-and-atmanirbhar-bharat/2682802 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Zee News Hindi |language=hi}}</ref>
=== Facilities === SSS Defence is projected to become the second Indian company to operate a small arms manufacturing facility by the end of 2020.<ref name="bloomquintFeb2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/defence-expo-2020-this-startup-and-a-30-year-old-firm-have-one-thing-in-common|title=Defence Expo 2020: This Startup And A 30-Year-Old Firm Have One Thing In Common|last=Manghat|first=Sajeet|date=2020-02-08|website=BloombergQuint|language=en|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref> This facility will eventually be capable of producing 80,000 arms per year, starting with an initial 15,000 per year.<ref name=":1" /> By 2021, it also plans to operationalise an ammunition manufacturing in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/startup/defence-expo-2020-bengaluru-startup-builds-indias-first-indigenous-sniper-rifle-prototypes-5236551.htm|title=Defence Expo 2020: Bengaluru startup builds India's first indigenous sniper rifle prototypes|last=Vaishnav|first=Ajay|date=February 7, 2020|website=CNBC TV18|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref>
The firm has established a joint venture with Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos for this purpose.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/jan/01/rs-1020-cr-arms--factory-to-come-up-in-anantapur-1919110.html|title=Rs 1,020 crore arms factory to come up in Anantapur|date=1 January 2019|website=The New Indian Express|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717073255/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/jan/01/rs-1020-cr-arms--factory-to-come-up-in-anantapur-1919110.html|archive-date=17 July 2019|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> This facility will produce ammunition, including 12.7mm, 9mm, 7.62×51mm, 7.62×39mm and .338 Lapua Magnum.<ref name=":1" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Firearm manufacturers of India Category:Manufacturing companies based in Bengaluru Category:2017 establishments in Karnataka Category:Indian companies established in 2017 Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2017