Lt. Col. Steven Power made the announcement earlier this week to attendees at the National Defense Industrial Association’s armament symposium that Sig Sauer P320 handguns are on their way to soldiers. Power, the product manager of Soldier Weapons for Program Executive Office Soldier, explained that the recently approved congressional budget gave the Army more information on scheduling fielding for the handgun, ArmyTimes.com reported.
Courtesy of Sig Sauer
According to scheduling, the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will be the first to receive P320s, the website reports.
“The latest budget was our first real knowledge of procurement dollars, which will adjust field scheduling,” Power said. “However, we will definitely field Fort Campbell this year.”
RELATED: U.S. Army Gives Sig Sauer’s P320 a Thumbs Up
Power did not provide more specifics, Army Times reports, but other units at Fort Campbell will also receive the P320, as will every sidearm-carrying solider in the Army. When each solider will receive the handgun, however, depends on funding priorities.
Sig P320: The Army’s Handgun
The U.S. Army chose Sig’s P320 back in January to replace the M9 Beretta. The change ended the M9’s contract that started in the mid-1980s. What set the P320 apart from other handguns was it was the only true “modular” pistol. Sig was picked for the contract over 11 other companies. Army Times reports SIG’s contract with the Army is worth up to $580 million and includes firearms, accessories and ammunition to be delivered over the next 10 years.
Featured image: Military.com
