A new domestically developed carbine, jointly designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Forge, has emerged as the lowest bidder in the Indian Army’s tender for close-quarter battle (CQB) firearms. The weapon is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round and was engineered by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. Production will be carried out by Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSS), the defence arm of Bharat Forge.
This selection represents a significant step forward in strengthening India’s homegrown defence manufacturing sector and is aligned with the national goal of building self-reliance in strategic technologies.
In 2022, the Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of over 4.25 lakh units of these carbines under the “Buy (Indian)” category, with the total contract valued at approximately ₹2,770 crore. This makes it the most substantial domestically sourced small arms order since the introduction of the INSAS rifle.
To qualify under the Buy (Indian) route, weapons must be designed and manufactured within India with at least 50% indigenous content. The DRDO–Bharat Forge carbine exceeds this requirement by being fully developed and produced in the country, setting a benchmark for domestic defence capabilities.
Designed specifically for use in urban environments and close-range combat scenarios, the new carbine is compact and easy to handle. It fires 5.56x45mm rounds, has an effective range of around 200 meters, and weighs less than 3 kilograms without attachments. A bayonet with a 120mm blade is included for versatility in hand-to-hand situations.
The weapon is engineered for precision, with 90% of rounds expected to hit within a 15×15 cm grouping during trials. Built for durability, each unit is rated for a lifespan of 15,000 rounds or up to 15 years in service. It is intended to replace the ageing 9mm Sterling carbines that have been in use for decades.
Seven Indian firms submitted bids for the project, reflecting the growing depth of the country’s defence industry. Key participants included Bharat Forge, Adani Group, Jindal Defence, ICOMM, PLR Systems, the Small Arms Factory in Kanpur, and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). Bharat Forge’s winning offer of ₹2,770 crore outperformed competitors such as PLR Systems and Jindal Defence, whose bids were ₹3,148 crore and ₹3,379 crore respectively.
This win further solidifies Bharat Forge’s standing in India’s defence sector. The company is anticipating a 15–20% rise in military-related business in the upcoming fiscal year, with contributions expected from both domestic orders and exports. KSS, which has already reported strong export performance, is preparing to scale up production accordingly.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), headquartered in Pune, is a globally recognized Indian multinational known for its technology-driven approach and leadership in high-performance, safety-critical components and solutions. Serving a diverse range of sectors—including automotive, power, oil & gas, construction and mining, rail, marine, defence, and aerospace—BFL is trusted by leading global customers for its engineering excellence and innovation.
With manufacturing operations spanning five countries, BFL boasts one of the world’s most extensive repositories of metallurgical expertise. The company provides comprehensive, end-to-end capabilities—from concept development and product design to engineering, manufacturing, testing, and validation—ensuring seamless service delivery to its global customer base.
