Bharat Forge Bags Rs 1,661.9 Cr Order from Defence Ministry

The recent defence contract of Bharat Forge Limited strengthens the maturity of the outlook of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, and it is an indication of the confidence of the armed forces to rely on local suppliers in the long run.

Bharat Forge Limited announced that the Ministry of Defence had given the company a contract worth 1,661.9 crore in the supply of 255,128 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines to the Indian Army with a delivery period of five years.

The contract is among the notable recent defence procurements and reflects India’s continued emphasis on strengthening local manufacturing under strategic defence programs. This 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine is a compact firearm, designed and manufactured domestically, in a joint venture between the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Forge Ltd. 

Also Read: The Role of Indigenization in Advancing India’s Drone Sector

The weapon also suits the needs of operational use in urban warfare and counter-insurgency efforts, with conventional assault rifles that could be restricted by size and maneuverability. CQB Carbine is designed to be used in close-range conflicts like counter-terrorism missions, building clearances, and operations in dense urban settings.

According to DRDO, the weapon is estimated to weigh 3.3 kilograms, with a range of 200 metres, and can launch both NATO and INSAS ammunition. “This weapon has been designed by DRDO’s ARDE, Pune, and is being manufactured by Bharat Forge,” said Prateek Kishore, Scientist and Director General of Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE), DRDO.

“It is a highly potent weapon for our infantry soldiers. Its ability to accommodate different ammunition types places it in a class of its own,” he added.