New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on December 30 signed contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes, aimed at strengthening the combat capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy and submarine fleet.
The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block.
Of the total value, contracts worth Rs 2,770 crore were signed for the supply of over 4.25 lakh CQB Carbines along with accessories for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The contracts were inked with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, marking a major step towards replacing legacy small arms with indigenous, modern weapon systems under the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Advantages of CQB Carbine
The CQB Carbine, a key weapon for modern infantry, is designed for close combat operations, offering a compact build and a high rate of fire to enhance lethality in confined spaces. Officials said the project reflects growing collaboration between the government and the private sector and is expected to give further impetus to the Make-in-India initiative. The programme is also projected to boost employment and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing, particularly through the participation of Indian MSMEs in component manufacturing and raw material supply.
In a separate deal, the MoD signed a contract worth approximately Rs 1,896 crore with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. of Italy for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes and associated equipment for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines under Project-75.
Aimed at enhancing combat capability
The acquisition is aimed at enhancing the combat capability of the Navy’s six Kalvari-class submarines. According to officials, delivery of the torpedoes will begin in April 2028 and is expected to be completed by early 2030. The torpedoes are equipped with advanced technological features and significant operational capabilities.
The defence ministry said the torpedo procurement underscores the government’s commitment to meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Navy through the induction of niche technologies and advanced weapon systems.
In the current financial year 2025–26, the Ministry of Defence has signed capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 1,82,492 crore as part of its broader effort to modernise the armed forces while promoting indigenous defence production.