Leading Israeli defence firm Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is set to supply the first batch of 40,000 light machine guns (LMGs) to India starting early 2026.
The company is also in the final stages of signing a contract to supply nearly 1,70,000 new-age CQB (Close Quarters Battle) carbines to India. However, IWI is only the second bidder for the contract, with Bharat Forge being the primary.
Shuki Schwartz, CEO of IWI, told news agency PTI in an interview: "We are now involved in three significant programmes. First is the contract for 40,000 light machine guns, which was signed last year. We have completed all tests, trials, and government checks, and we have received the license for production. We intend to supply the first batch at the beginning of the year."
He said that while the light machine gun supplies are for five years, the company can do it faster. "...but the first supply will be at the beginning of the year," he said when speaking about the timeline.
He clarified that while 60 per cent of the CQB carbines supply will be sourced from Bharat Forge while the remaining 40 per cent (170,000 units) will be delivered by PLR Systems, a joint venture between Adani Group and IWI.
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"We intend to supply 40 per cent of the contract. We are in the stage of pre-signing of the contract, and I believe it will be finalised by the end of this year or the beginning of next year," PTI quoted Schwartz as saying.
He further said the company is in the final stages of talks with India about integrating Arbel technology, the first computerised weapon system that uses a complex algorithm to determine when a soldier is on target and quickly strikes with high precision, with Indian small-arms systems. "We are in the initial stages of discussions with different agencies to adopt the Arbel systems. Once they take it, we will supply it through co-production in Israel and India," he said.
He added that PLR Systems will handle the co-production locally in India.
The IWI CEO said the company is collaborating with India's home ministry and various agencies within MHA for the sale of a complete range of products, which includes pistols, rifles, and light machine guns.
—With PTI inputs