Indian Army Inks Rs 2,700 Cr Deal for 4.25L Close-Quarter Carbine

• The Indian Army to buy 4.25 lakh carbines, 2.5 lakh from Bharat Forge and the rest from Adani’s PLR Systems
• New 5.56 mm carbines replace outdated models; deliveries begin next year
• Strengthens “shoot to kill” capability and ensures long-term modernization

The Indian Army has made significant progress towards self-reliance, by signing a ₹2,700 crore contract for 4.25 lakh close-quarter battle carbines. Of this, Bharat Forge will deliver 2.5 lakh, while Adani’s PLR Systems will produce the remainder.

The latest Indian Army deal marks a major step in defence procurement India, boosting Indian Army weapons and driving infantry modernization through advanced small arms India, making it a significant update in Indian Army news.

The new weapon will replace old carbines that were in service for over a decade and, in conjunction with other new weapons, will improve the overall combat effectiveness of Indian soldiers.

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Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, Director General of Infantry, claimed that the new carbines will fire a 5.56 mm round and will enhance the army’s operational capability - especially in close-quarter operations. Both vendors are expected to begin to deliver next year.

This agreement represents the next move in the Army's modernization process, which is part of the evolving combat philosophy of "shoot to kill." In recent years, the infantry has transitioned from older 5.56 mm rifles to more powerful 7.62 mm American Sig Sauer and Russian-origin AK-203 assault rifles to ensure that soldiers are provided with modern, high-precision weaponry.

With this procurement, the Indian Army continues to address gaps in its small arms inventory and enhance its self-reliance aspirations. It is anticipated that the new carbines will be in service for the next two to three decades, and will support troops in a range of operational contexts and provide enhancement to India's defense manufacturing ecosystem in the context of Make in India.