In what comes as a major step in enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Navy, the defence ministry, on Tuesday, signed a contract worth ₹4,666 crore for the procurement of close quarter battle (CQB) carbines and heavyweight torpedoes for the two services.
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In a release, the ministry stated that the contract for over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines, along with accessories, worth ₹2,770 crore, for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Forge and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd. According to the ministry, this comes as 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.”
An important weapon in the modern infantry arsenal, the CQB Carbine excels in close-quarters combat, combining a compact build with a high rate of fire to deliver fast, decisive effectiveness in tight environments.
The contracts underscore the strong collaboration between the defence ministry and the private sector, providing fresh momentum to the Make-in-India initiative and strengthening indigenous defence industries by promoting the participation of Indian MSMEs in component manufacturing and raw material supply.
Heavyweight torpedoes
The contract for the procurement and integration of 48 heavyweight torpedoes, along with associated equipment, for Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy, at an approximate cost of ₹1,896 crore, was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy. The delivery of the torpedoes will commence in April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030.
The acquisition of these torpedoes, which have significant operational capabilities and advanced technological features, will boost the combat capability of the six Kalvari-class submarines.
“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,” the ministry stated.
