Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for the Indian Army and Navy, and Heavyweight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy. The acquisitions aim to strengthen modernisation, operational preparedness, and capability enhancement of the Armed Forces.
Key Procurement Details
Contract for CQB Carbines- ₹2,770 crore
- Quantity: Over 4.25 lakh CQB Carbines (with accessories)
- Beneficiaries: Indian Army & Indian Navy
- Vendors:
- Bharat Forge Ltd
- PLR Systems Pvt Ltd
- Nature: Indigenously manufactured weapons under Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Purpose: Replacement of legacy small arms with modern, high-lethality systems
Role & Features of CQB Carbines
- Compact design- ideal for close-combat & confined-space operations
- High rate of fire & enhanced lethality
- Designed as a key component of modern infantry arsenal
- Supports:
- Private-sector participation
- Employment generation & MSME ecosystem
- Deepening of indigenous defence manufacturing
Contract for Heavyweight Torpedoes- ₹1,896 crore
- Supplier: WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy
- Procurement: 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes with associated equipment
- Platform: Kalvari-class (Project-75) Submarines
- Capability Impact: Major boost to underwater warfare strength
Delivery Timeline
- Begins: April 2028
- Completion: Early 2030
Features
- Equipped with advanced technology & robust operational capability
- Enhances:
- Lethality
- Strike effectiveness
- Maritime deterrence capability
Broader Significance
- Reflects Government’s focus on:
- Advanced & niche defence technologies
- Operational readiness of armed forces
- Domestic manufacturing & technology absorption
- Strengthens India’s defence self-reliance framework
Capital Acquisition: FY 2025-26
- So far, the MoD has signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1,82,492 crore
- Indicates:
- Sustained push toward modernisation
- Strong focus on indigenisation of defence platforms
About Project-75 (Kalvari-Class Submarines)
- Type: Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarines
- Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai
- In collaboration with: Naval Group, France
- Current Kalvari-class submarines:
- INS Kalvari
- INS Khanderi
- INS Karanj
- INS Vela
- INS Vagir
- INS Vagsheer (under trials/induction phase)
About Bharat Forge & PLR Systems
- Bharat Forge Ltd
- Part of Kalyani Group
- Major contributor to artillery, armoured systems & small arms
- PLR Systems Pvt Ltd
- Joint venture with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
- Specialises in indigenous small-arms manufacturin
Policy & Institutional Framework
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Make in India- Defence Focus
- Priority on local manufacturing & technology partnerships
- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
- Promotes Buy (Indian-IDDM), Buy (Indian), Buy & Make (Indian) categories
- Department of Defence Production (DDP)
- Nodal agency for indigenisation & private-sector participation