The potential value for all quantities and the related customer support package is $306 million. The initial order of 55,890 units is to be released as the standard sidearm for the entire Colombian National Police force. Shipments are to begin immediately with a second release of 42,000 pistols to follow.
Governments let bids all of the time with escalation clauses. This allows them to purchase a certain number above the initial contract, at the contract price, and with the mandated service package. Sig simply added everything up for the
most money possible under the contract.
The contract is a matter of public record. Instead of picking apart a press release, if you feel that the weapons are too expensive, look up the unit price, and then quote it. Otherwise, you're just whistling in the wind about prices.
So...we're slashing our own defense budget to buy guns for other countries?
Nope. Different budget item, probably State Department, but handled by the Material Command. The Democrats ALWAYS cut the military, it's a tradition.
They take $100 in taxes from me, pay the IRS guy, a few corrupt officials skim a dollar or two, Sig takes it's cut, and by the time it actually gets around to "supporting" those jobs, there's only $50 left - maybe. Why not just let me hire someone and create 2 jobs for every 1 the bureaucracy can produce.
Yeah, like GM, Chrysler, AIG, and the big banks? They've done a
WONDERFUL job of producing employment, and bonuses for their executives.
Can't forget the bonuses. The contract, as announced, will result in the expansion of
Sig's work-force by 350 employees, not the governments. That's NOT an estimate by the government, but by SIG. Where does anyone get these goofy ideas?