SCHUMER ANNOUNCES REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY SET TO RECEIVE $8.9 MILLION ARMY CONTRACT
Army Will Purchase Over 1,000 M24 Sniper Rifles from Remington Arms In Herkimer County
For Years, Schumer Has Successfully Pushed for Continued Funding for Remington Sniper Upgrades and Production
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the Remington Arms Company is set to receive $8.9 million from the U.S. Army to manufacture 1,212 M24 sniper rifles used by servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan. The funding is part of a federal contract through the Army Foreign Military Sales program. All of the production of the M24 sniper rifles will take place at Remington Arms' Ilion facility by local employees, strengthening Remington's position as a major regional employer.
"Remington is a proud New York company with a worldclass workforce that makes some of the finest firearms produced anywhere in the country," Schumer said. "This contract will preserve jobs in Central New York, and provide our partner nations with the resources they need."
"We are pleased to continue to partner with the Army to manufacture the M24 sniper rifle for our foreign allies," said James Rabbia, Remington Arms Plant Manager. "This opens new export markets for our firearms that will preserve jobs in Ilion and help the Army advance America's foreign policy interests."
The Army currently has 3,600 M24 sniper rifles in its inventory. The M24 was used by the Army's sniper teams in Iraq and continues to be used by the teams in Afghanistan. Today's contract announcement includes the purchase of an additional 1,212 M24 snipers all of which will be produced in Central New York.
The contract with Remington Arms Company solidifies the Ilion plant as national leader in arms production, as they help maintain military readiness and keep troops equipped with the best gear. The funds will be used to manufacture M24's, and keep the 20 year old technology state of the art.
Remington Arms Company, Inc. has specialized in producing and selling arms for the military, government and law enforcement markets. Founded in 1816 in Upstate New York, the company is one of the nation's oldest continuously operating manufacturers. The Remington plant based in Ilion has been a staple of the region for years and just last week announced the addition of 100 new jobs. The opportunity to compete for lucrative Army contracts only further bolsters the company's position, leading to new job growth and economic expansion in Central New York. The Ilion plant has developed a national reputation for quality and efficiency, and the Ilion manufacturing center's specialty in developing the M4 Carbine provides a huge boost to the Army as they seek to improve a weapon that is widely used in Afghanistan and Iraq.
