World Bulletin / News Desk

The US Army announced Thursday that German-Swiss gunmaker Sig Sauer has been awarded a contract to replace the service's aging sidearm, the Beretta M9.

The arms maker will provide handguns, accessories and ammunition under a contract worth up to $580 million, the Army said in a statement. 

The awarding of the Modular Handgun System contract comes after years of searching for a replacement to the M9 9-mm handgun, which has been the Army's go-to sidearm since 1985.

"By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we have optimized private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters," Army acquisition executive Steffanie Easter said in a statement. 

Lawmakers have frequently criticized the length and complexity of the bidding process to replace the outdated M9. 

The Army first started looking for a new gun almost a decade ago.