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The Defense Ministry on Tuesday, December 30, signed contracts worth a combined ₹4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines and heavy-weight torpedoes aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
The contracts were formalized at South Block, New Delhi in the presence of Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
CQB Carbine for Army and Navy
Of the total value, contracts worth ₹2,770 crore were signed Bharat Forge Limited and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd for supply of over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines including accessories to the Indian Army and Indian Navy. The induction of the new carbines is aimed at replacing old small arms with modern, indigenously developed systems in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Designed for close-quarter combat, the CQB carbine features a compact design and high rate of fire, enhancing effectiveness in confined and urban combat environments. The Defense Ministry said the project reflects growing collaboration between the government and the private sector and is expected to support domestic defense manufacturing, including participation of Indian MSMEs in component production and raw material supply.
Heavy weight torpedoes to increase the firepower of submarines
Separately, the Defense Ministry signed a contract worth about ₹1,896 crore with WASS Submarine Systems SRL, Italy, for the procurement and integration of 48 heavy-weight torpedoes along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines (Project 75). This acquisition is expected to significantly increase the combat capability of the six submarines of this class.
According to the ministry, deliveries of the torpedoes are scheduled to begin in April 2028 and are expected to be completed by the early 2030s.
The Defense Ministry said the latest contracts are part of its broader modernization drive. In FY26, the MoD has so far signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1.82 lakh crore to upgrade the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
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