WASHINGTON, D.C. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell will be the first to receive the Army’s new handguns, according to a report from Army Times.
Sig Sauer Inc. was awarded a $580 million contract in January from the Department of Defense for the Modular Handgun System including handgun, accessories, and ammunition to replace the current M9 handgun.
The Sig Sauer modular pistol will replace the M9 Beretta, which has been used by the Army since the Cold War era.
Soldiers said they disliked the M9’s bulky grip and wanted a gun capable of firing a bigger or harder-hitting bullet.