New Delhi: Adani Defence & Aerospace on Saturday delivered the first batch of 2,000 indigenously manufactured Prahar - light machine guns (LMGs) 7.62 mm to the Indian Army, marking a significant milestone in India’s small arms manufacturing capability.
The delivery is part of a contract for 41,000 weapons signed in August 2024 to replace the ageing 5.56x45mm INSAS light machine guns.
Originally known as Negev, the LMG was designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). Now, it is being manufactured at the Adani Group’s facility in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
The group acquired PLR Systems -- IWI’s local partner for small arms manufacturing in India since 2016.
Another 4,000 Negev are due to be delivered in the next batch this year under the programme, which has been executed as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The historic delivery of the first batch was completed in seven months, 11 months ahead of the contracted schedule. The delivery event was witnessed by A Anbarasu, DG Acquisition & Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
The First-of-Production Model (FOPM) was realised in six months against a stipulated 18-month development timeline. Bulk Production Clearance (BPC) followed, enabling a rapid transition to full-scale manufacturing.
Manufactured at the Adani Defence’s Small Arms Facility in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India’s first fully integrated private-sector small arms manufacturing hub, the Prahar LMG significantly reduces reliance on imported infantry weapons and strengthening defence self-reliance.
Spread across 100 acres, the facility integrates barrel manufacturing, bolt carrier and receiver fabrication, advanced computer numerical control (CNC) machining, robotics, surface treatment, precision metrology, a metallurgy laboratory and a 25-metre underground firing range.
Each weapon undergoes lifecycle testing, ballistic assessment and environmental trials before deployment, ensuring adherence to the operational and reliability standards required by the Indian Armed Forces.
Designed for scale, the Gwalior facility has an annual production capacity of up to 100,000 weapons, with more than 90 per cent domestic sourcing.
The facility is contributing to a broader industrial ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh by generating skilled employment and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the supply chain.
The manufacturing capability is also supported by Adani Defence’s ammunition complex in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), commissioned in 2024. The facility has an annual capacity of around 300 million rounds of small caliber ammunition, with plans to expand its capabilities to manufacture large and medium caliber ammunition, strengthening the integrated weapons and ammunition ecosystem.
This integrated approach across design, manufacturing and supply chains enhances resilience, improves execution timelines and supports long-term self-reliance in defence production.
Looking ahead, the Gwalior facility is also geared to manufacture close quarter battle (CQB) weapons for the Indian Armed Forces, further expanding India’s indigenous small arms capability.
What is Prahar Light Machine Gun – 7.61x51 mm
Designed to be accurate, robust and reliable light machine gun, the Prahar LMG fires from open bolt, gas impact on piston head, an rotating bolt locking.
As per the company, it is safe, semi-automatic and automatic mode of firing with gas regulator for additional power in adverse conditions.
The LMG can be quickly dismantled in the field for maintenance, adjustable butt stock and cheek rest with additional Safety mechanisms and back up iron sights.
The larger 7.62x51mm calibre delivers higher lethal firepower compared with the 5.56mm INSAS, and the shift from magazine-fed to belt ammunition allows a sustained rate of fire -- eliminating the need for frequent reloads.
In automatic mode, the Negev fires over 700 rounds per minute.
The weapon is also capable of precision single-round fire, with a range exceeding 800 metres.
Weighing 7.5 kg, it is one of the lightest 7.62mm LMGs in its class with a semi-automatic mode, and can be fired from a wide range of mounts, vehicles, helicopters and naval vessels.
