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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday signed two capital acquisition contracts worth a combined Rs 4,666 crore for Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes (HWT), in a move aimed at boosting the armed forces’ combat capability and supporting indigenous defence production.
4.25 lakh CQB carbines for Army and Navy
A Rs 2,770-crore contract has been awarded for more than 4.25 lakh CQB carbines along with accessories for the Indian Army and Navy. The deal has been split between Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, with Bharat Forge, the lowest bidder, supplying about 60% of the order (around 2.55 lakh units) and PLR Systems delivering the remaining 40% (roughly 1.7 lakh units).
PLR Systems is majority-owned by Adani Defence, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd.
The new carbines will replace the Army’s ageing Sterling 9mm carbines that have remained in service for more than six decades. Deliveries are expected to begin in September 2026 and conclude by 2028.
Bharat Forge will manufacture an indigenously developed 5.56×45 mm CQB carbine designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). The weapon has an effective range of around 200 metres and is fitted with modern optics and accessory rails.
PLR Systems will supply the Israeli-origin IWI ACE 21N carbine, produced in India at facilities in Kanpur and Gwalior. The ACE series is already familiar to Indian security forces through existing IWI weapon platforms in service.
The MoD said the project would strengthen the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ drive by enhancing local manufacturing capability and creating opportunities for domestic MSMEs through the supply chain.
Heavyweight torpedoes for Kalvari-class submarines.
In a separate contract valued at Rs 1,896 crore, the MoD placed an order with Italy’s WASS Submarine Systems SRL for 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes and associated systems for the Navy’s Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in April 2028 and finish by early 2030.
The torpedoes will provide the six-boat fleet with a modern underwater strike capability, filling a long-standing gap in the Navy’s submarine armament.
Modernisation push continues
With the latest deals, the MoD has signed capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 1,82,492 crore so far in the current financial year (FY 2025-26), as part of its continuing military modernisation and indigenisation programme.
Team BharatShakti
