The North News
New Delhi, December 30
The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore to procure Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines and heavyweight torpedoes, as part of a wider push to modernise the armed forces and boost domestic manufacturing. The agreements were signed on Tuesday in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi. Under the first deal, more than 4.25 lakh CQB carbines and accessories—valued at ₹2,770 crore—will be supplied to the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, marking a significant step in replacing older weapons with indigenous, modern systems under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The CQB carbine, designed for close combat, is compact and capable of a high rate of fire, giving troops greater effectiveness in confined environments. Officials said the project reflects growing collaboration between the government and the private sector, while also supporting the Make in India programme by creating jobs and encouraging participation of micro, small and medium enterprises in component manufacturing and supply chains.
Separately, the Ministry signed a ₹1,896 crore contract with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. of Italy for the supply and integration of 48 heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in April 2028 and conclude by early 2030.
The torpedoes are expected to significantly enhance the combat capability of the Navy’s six Kalvari-class submarines, with officials citing their advanced technology and operational performance.
The latest contracts come amid a broader modernisation drive. In the financial year 2025–26, the Ministry of Defence has so far signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1.82 lakh crore for the armed forces.
