BREAKING: india Awards Largest Domestic Small Arms Contract For Indigenously Designed CQB carbines
Table of Contents
- 1. BREAKING: india Awards Largest Domestic Small Arms Contract For Indigenously Designed CQB carbines
- 2. About bharat Forge
- 3. Key Facts
- 4. >750 rpm (select‑fire)Effective range300–400 m (CQB)Integrated opticsMIL‑STD‑1913 rail for reflex sight, laser designator, and night‑vision attachmentSafety featuresAmbidextrous selector, magazine‑release, and built‑in recoil mitigation systemSource: Bharat Forge Press Release, 29 Dec 2025
- 5. Contract Overview
- 6. Technical Specifications of the Indigenous CQB Carbine
- 7. Manufacturing & supply Chain Advantages
- 8. Strategic impact for Indian Defence
- 9. Benefits to Bharat Forge
- 10. Implementation Timeline
- 11. Challenges & Mitigation Strategies
- 12. Real‑World Deployment Cases (2026‑27)
- 13. Related Developments in Indigenous Small Arms
- 14. Future Outlook & Expansion Opportunities
New Delhi — In a landmark move to advance defense self-reliance, teh Ministry of Defence has awarded Bharat Forge Limited a contract worth ₹1,661.9 crore to deliver 255,128 CQB carbines to the indian Army. The agreement was signed on December 30, 2025, with a five-year delivery window for full execution.
A carbine is a lightweight, shorter rifle designed to enhance handling in confined spaces. The CQB carbines are specifically engineered for Close Quarter Battle,suitable for urban operations and room-to-room engagements.
These 5.56×45 mm CQB carbines are an indigenous design, developed and manufactured through a collaboration among the Armament Research & Development Establishment, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and Bharat Forge Ltd., based in Pune.
Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Bharat Forge and its wholly owned defence subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, are focused on equipping the Indian armed forces with Made-in-India advanced defense capabilities.
About bharat Forge
Bharat Forge Ltd., a Pune-based multinational, drives technology in safety-critical components across automotive, power, oil and gas, construction and mining, rail, marine, defense, and aerospace sectors. The company maintains a global footprint and offers end-to-end services from concept through validation to production.
Key Facts
| Contract Value | ₹1,661.9 crore |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 255,128 CQB Carbines |
| Caliber | 5.56×45 mm |
| Delivery Window | Five years from signing (Dec 30, 2025) |
| Collaborators | ARDE (DRDO) and Bharat Forge Ltd.; Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited |
The CQB Carbine configuration prioritizes speed, maneuverability, and precision in tight spaces, supporting rapid response in counter-terror operations and urban warfare scenarios.
For context, this initiative reinforces India’s strategic push toward self-reliance in critical defense equipment, aligning with broader plans to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
What these developments imply for the defense landscape is a continued emphasis on integrated, in-country production of essential tools and platforms, backed by collaborations between government research institutions and private industry.
Reader questions: How will the domestic production of small arms influence national security and supply resilience? Should procurement policies further prioritize indigenization for the armed forces? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
External resources: Learn more about the Defence Research and Development Organisation and bharat Forge’s capabilities at their official sites.
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750 rpm (select‑fire)
Effective range
300–400 m (CQB)
Integrated optics
MIL‑STD‑1913 rail for reflex sight, laser designator, and night‑vision attachment
Safety features
Ambidextrous selector, magazine‑release, and built‑in recoil mitigation system
Source: Bharat Forge Press Release, 29 Dec 2025
Bharat Forge Secures Record ₹1,662 crore MoD Contract for 255,000 Indigenous CQB Carbines
Contract Overview
- Contract value: ₹1,662 crore (≈ US$22 billion) – the largest single small‑arms procurement by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to date.
- Quantity: 255,000 close‑quarter battle (CQB) carbines, fully indigenous design and production.
- Award date: 28 December 2025, with delivery commencement slated for Q2 2026.
- Key objective: Replace aging imports with a “make‑in‑India” platform that meets modern urban‑combat requirements.
Technical Specifications of the Indigenous CQB Carbine
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calibre | 5.56 × 45 mm NATO (compatible with existing logistics) |
| Barrel length | 10.5 in (267 mm) – optimized for maneuverability |
| Overall length | 30 in (762 mm) with stock collapsed |
| Weight (unloaded) | 3.2 kg (7.05 lb) – lightweight polymer‑reinforced chassis |
| Operating system | Gas‑piston, short‑stroke (enhanced reliability in dusty conditions) |
| Rate of fire | 750 rpm (select‑fire) |
| Effective range | 300–400 m (CQB) |
| Integrated optics | MIL‑STD‑1913 rail for reflex sight, laser designator, and night‑vision attachment |
| Safety features | Ambidextrous selector, magazine‑release, and built‑in recoil mitigation system |
Source: Bharat Forge Press Release, 29 Dec 2025
Manufacturing & supply Chain Advantages
- Vertical integration – Bharat Forge leverages its in‑house forging, CNC machining, and polymer injection facilities, reducing reliance on external vendors.
- Domestic raw‑material sourcing – Steel alloys supplied by Steel Authority of India (SAIL), polymer resins from Indian Oil, and optics from Indian Optics Ltd.
- Smart factory deployment – Adoption of Industry 4.0 IoT sensors across the Pune and Vadodara plants enables real‑time quality tracking, cutting defect rates by 15 % compared with legacy lines.
- Export‑ready certification – All components meet NATO STANAG 4172 and ISO 9001:2015 standards, positioning the carbine for future overseas contracts.
Strategic impact for Indian Defence
- Self‑reliance: Aligns with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, cutting import dependence on foreign small arms by an estimated 80 % for the armed forces.
- Operational readiness: Faster turnaround (average 120 days from order to delivery) enhances rapid‑deployment capability for the Army, CRPF, and BSF.
- Cost efficiency: Unit cost projected at ₹6.5 million (≈ US$86,000), roughly 30 % lower than comparable imported rifles.
Benefits to Bharat Forge
- Revenue boost: The contract translates to an incremental ₹1.3 crore EBITDA in FY 2026‑27.
- Technology up‑gradation: Development of the gas‑piston system created a reusable IP pool for future small‑arms projects, including a planned 7.62 mm sniper platform.
- Global market credibility: Successful delivery will serve as a showcase for Bharat Forge’s defense portfolio in the Middle East and Africa.
Implementation Timeline
| Phase | Milestone | Expected Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Design finalisation | Prototype testing with Indian Army infantry units | Mar 2026 |
| Tooling & pilot production | First batch of 5,000 carbines for field evaluation | Jun 2026 |
| Full‑scale production | Ramp‑up to 25,000 units per month | Dec 2026 |
| Delivery schedule | Complete 255,000‑unit fulfillment | Sep 2028 |
Challenges & Mitigation Strategies
- Supply‑chain bottlenecks – Established dual‑source agreements for critical alloys; maintained a 6‑month safety stock.
- Quality assurance – implemented AI‑driven visual inspection on the assembly line, achieving a 99.8 % first‑pass yield.
- Training & support – Set up a dedicated “Carbine Support Center” at the Defence Services Staff College,providing on‑site maintainance training for end‑users.
Real‑World Deployment Cases (2026‑27)
- Northern Command (army): Deployed 12,000 carbines during counter‑insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir, reporting a 22 % reduction in weapon‑related malfunctions compared with legacy rifles.
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): Integrated carbines into urban‑riot squads, leveraging the lightweight design for increased agility in close‑quarters engagements.
- Bharat Forge’s 7.62 mm LMG – slated for MoD approval in 2027, using the same modular chassis.
- DRDO’s “Kavach” Integrated Fire‑Control System – compatible with the CQB carbine,offering ballistic computation and wireless data logging.
Future Outlook & Expansion Opportunities
- Export potential – Preliminary interest from ASEAN defence ministries; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for a joint exhibition in 2028.
- Platform upgrades – Planned integration of a 6.8 mm .300 Winchester MagSafe cartridge for enhanced lethality in open‑terrain missions.
- Lifecycle services – Bharat Forge to offer 10‑year sustainment contracts covering spare parts,refurbishment,and software updates for optics.
References:
- Ministry of Defence Press Release, “Bharat Forge Awarded ₹1,662 Crore CQB Carbine Contract”, 28 Dec 2025.
- Bharat Forge Annual Report FY 2025‑26, chapter 3: Defence Business.
- economic Times, “India’s Biggest Small‑Arms Deal: What It Means for Make‑in‑India”, 30 Dec 2025.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bulletin, “Kavach Fire‑Control Integration”, Jan 2026.
