Defence Ministry signs Rs 4,666-crore deals for battle carbines, torpedoes
The Defence Ministry on Tuesday signed contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for the procurement of close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines and heavyweight torpedoes, strengthening the combat capabilities of the armed forces.
The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Under a contract valued at Rs 2,770 crore, over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines along with accessories will be procured for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The agreements were signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd.
The induction of these indigenous carbines marks a major step towards replacing legacy small arms with modern, high-performance weapons in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Designed for close combat, the CQB carbine’s compact size and high rate of fire provide enhanced lethality in confined spaces.
The project also reflects growing collaboration between the government and private industry, while boosting employment, strengthening domestic defence manufacturing and supporting Indian MSMEs through component production and raw material supply.
A separate contract worth approximately Rs 1,896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems SRL of Italy for the procurement and integration of 48 heavyweight torpedoes and associated equipment for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class (Project-75) submarines.
The induction of these advanced torpedoes will significantly enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari-class submarines.