MoD Signs ₹4,666 Crore Contracts for Carbines, Heavy Torpedoes
Close-Quarter Carbines, Heavy Torpedoes to Strengthen Forces
New Delhi: In a move aimed at strengthening the combat capability of India’s armed forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes. The agreements were concluded in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi, reflecting the government’s continued focus on modernising the military under the broader framework of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Make-in-India initiatives.
The contract for CQB Carbines, valued at ₹2,770 crore, covers the procurement of over 4.25 lakh units along with associated accessories for both the Indian Army and Indian Navy. The orders were placed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Private Ltd, marking a significant step in replacing legacy small arms with indigenous, technologically advanced weaponry. Designed for confined combat situations, the CQB Carbine is a compact firearm offering a high rate of fire and enhanced lethality in close-quarter operations, providing soldiers with a critical operational edge.
Officials noted that the project exemplifies the synergy between government procurement strategies and private industry capabilities, while also boosting employment opportunities and encouraging the participation of Indian MSMEs in component manufacturing and raw material supply chains. Analysts observe that such acquisitions, besides strengthening national security, contribute to the wider defence industrial base and align with long-term objectives of self-reliance in critical technologies.
In parallel, the MoD signed a contract valued at approximately ₹1,896 crore for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Kalvari Class submarines under Project-75. The contract, executed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. of Italy, will enhance the operational combat capabilities of all six Kalvari Class submarines in the Indian Navy. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in April 2028, with completion expected by early 2030.
These torpedoes are equipped with advanced technological features, designed to meet modern operational requirements in underwater warfare. Their induction is expected to bolster India’s submarine fleet, providing enhanced offensive capabilities and reinforcing strategic deterrence in the maritime domain. Defence officials emphasised that the acquisition is part of a long-term plan to ensure that naval platforms are equipped with cutting-edge niche technologies.
The contracts are part of a broader capital procurement programme in the financial year 2025–26, under which the MoD has signed agreements totalling ₹1,82,492 crore for the modernisation of India’s armed forces. These measures reflect the government’s sustained investment in upgrading weapon systems, expanding operational readiness, and integrating advanced indigenous and international technologies across land and naval platforms.
The procurement of CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes represents a dual focus on enhancing immediate infantry capabilities and long-term naval combat potential, demonstrating the Indian defence establishment’s strategy of combining domestic manufacturing with selective foreign technology acquisition to meet operational requirements efficiently.
– global bihari bureau
