Bharat Forge Wins ₹1,661.9 Crore Army Order for 2.55 Lakh Made-in-India CQB Carbines

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s indigenous small-arms capability and the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing push, Bharat Forge Limited on Tuesday announced that the Ministry of Defence has awarded the company a ₹1,661.9 crore contract for the supply of 255,128 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines to the Indian Army.

The contract, one of the largest domestic orders for infantry small arms in recent years, is scheduled to be executed over a five-year period, marking a decisive shift away from imports toward Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) weapon systems.

A Fully Indigenous Carbine for Modern Battlefields

The 5.56×45 mm CQB Carbine has been jointly developed by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE)—a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—in partnership with Bharat Forge. Manufacturing will be undertaken by Bharat Forge and its wholly owned defence subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL).

Designed specifically to address the Indian Army’s operational requirements in urban warfare, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, the CQB Carbine fills a long-standing capability gap where standard assault rifles are often unwieldy due to their length and weight.

Why the CQB Carbine Matters

Modern combat scenarios increasingly demand weapons that offer high lethality, rapid handling and superior manoeuvrability in confined spaces such as buildings, narrow streets and dense terrain. The CQB Carbine’s compact form factor allows soldiers to react faster during room interventions, building clearances and close-range engagements, while still retaining adequate firepower.

According to DRDO, the weapon weighs approximately 3.3 kilograms, has an effective firing range of up to 200 metres, and is chambered for the NATO-standard 5.56×45 mm calibre. Importantly, it is capable of firing both NATO-standard ammunition and INSAS rounds, providing critical logistical flexibility for frontline units.

Industry–DRDO Synergy Highlighted

Speaking earlier about the programme, Prateek Kishore, Scientist and Director General of Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) at DRDO, described the CQB Carbine as a model example of successful collaboration between India’s defence R&D ecosystem and private industry.

“This weapon has been designed by DRDO’s ARDE, Pune, and is being manufactured by Bharat Forge,” Kishore had said. “It represents full synergy between the development agency and the manufacturing partner, which has directly contributed to the successful realisation of this system. It is an extremely proud moment not just for DRDO, but for the country as a whole.”

Kishore added that the carbine is a highly potent weapon for infantry soldiers, noting that its ability to accommodate multiple ammunition types places it in a distinct operational category among contemporary small arms.

Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat

In an official statement, Bharat Forge underlined that the contract aligns closely with the government’s strategic objective of building a self-reliant defence industrial base.

“Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, we—BFL and our defence subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited—remain dedicated to equipping the Indian Armed Forces with ‘Made in India’ advanced defence equipment and platforms,” the company said.

Strengthening Infantry Firepower

Once inducted at scale, the 255,128 CQB Carbines are expected to significantly enhance the close-combat effectiveness of Indian Army infantry units, particularly those deployed in urban centres, counter-terror grids and high-risk internal security environments.

The deal also reinforces confidence in India’s private defence manufacturers and signals a broader transformation in procurement policy—where large-volume, frontline weapons are increasingly sourced from domestic industry, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers while strengthening national security and industrial resilience.