New Delhi: The defence ministry signed contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbine and Heavy Weight Torpedoes, for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy, respectively.
The contracts were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi.
CQB Carbine
The contract for over 4.25 lakh CQB Carbine along with accessories, worth Rs 2,770 crore, for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy were signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd.
With Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), the ministry inked contract worth Rs 1,661.9 crore for supply of 255,128 CQB Carbines (5.56 x 45 mm) to the Indian Army.
The remaining CQB carbines will be supplied by the PLR Systems, a joint venture of Adani Defence & Aerospace and Israeli firm Israel Weapon Industries (IWI).
As per the contract, the companies have to execute the orders within five years.
The 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM)compact firearm jointly developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), DRDO and Bharat Forge Ltd., Pune.
“Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, we – BFL, and our wholly- owned defence subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), remain dedicated to equipping the Indian Armed Forces with ‘Made in India’ advanced defence equipment and platforms,” the BFL said.
“This achievement marks the culmination of an extraordinary, persistent effort to equip Indian soldiers with world-class lethality, replacing legacy systems with cutting-edge indigenous technology under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision,” the defence ministry said.
As a cornerstone of the modern infantry arsenal, the CQB Carbine provides a critical edge in close combat through its compact design and high rate of fire, ensuring rapid, decisive lethality in confined spaces.
The contract highlights the synergy between the Government and the private sector which will further give impetus to the Make-in-India initiative.
This project will also play a pivotal role in boosting overall economy, increasing employment avenues and will also empower indigenous defence industries by encouraging Indian MSMEs through components' manufacturing and raw material supply.
Heavy Weight Torpedoes
The contract for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes along with associated equipment for Kalvari Class Submarines (P-75) of the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 1,896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy.
The acquisition will enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari Class submarines. The delivery of torpedoes will commence from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030.
These torpedoes have significant operational capabilities and advanced technological features.
The acquisition underscores the Government’s commitment to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy through the induction of niche technologies and advanced capabilities weapons.
In the Financial Year 2025-26, Ministry of Defence has signed capital contracts amounting to Rs 1,82,492 crore for the modernisation of the Armed Forces.
