MoD Signs ₹4666 Crore Contracts for CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes
The contracts were inked in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi on Tuesday.
New Delhi, December 31: The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the acquisition of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes, strengthening the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.
The contracts were inked in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi.
CQB carbines for Army and Navy
Under the first contract, the Ministry of Defence signed agreements worth ₹2,770 crore for the procurement of over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines, along with accessories, for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd.
The induction of the CQB carbines marks the replacement of legacy systems with modern, indigenous weapons under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Designed for close combat, the CQB carbine offers a compact form factor and a high rate of fire, providing enhanced lethality and operational effectiveness in confined spaces.
Officials said the project highlights growing collaboration between the government and the private sector, and is expected to boost the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. It will also generate employment opportunities and support Indian MSMEs through component manufacturing and raw material supply.
Heavy weight torpedoes for submarines
The second contract, valued at approximately ₹1,896 crore, was signed with WASS Submarine Systems SRL, Italy, for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes and associated equipment for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari Class submarines (Project 75).
The acquisition will significantly enhance the combat capability of the Navy’s six Kalvari Class submarines. According to the ministry, delivery of the torpedoes is scheduled to begin in April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030. The torpedoes are equipped with advanced technological features and offer substantial operational capability in undersea warfare.
Defence modernisation push
The Ministry of Defence said the contracts underscore the government’s commitment to meeting the operational requirements of the armed forces through the induction of advanced and niche technologies. In the current financial year 2025–26, the ministry has signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1,82,492 crore, reflecting a sustained push towards the modernisation of India’s armed forces.
