Indian Army to Procure 425,000 CQB Carbines from PLR Systems and Bharat Forge for $3.3 Billion

The Indian Army plans to procure 425,000 CQB carbine assault rifles from PLR Systems, a joint venture between Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) and Adani Corporation, along with Bharat Forge. The total contract value is ₹27.7 billion ($3.3 billion), with deliveries scheduled from September 2026 to 2028.

Bharat Forge will supply 255,000 units (60% of the order), while PLR Systems will provide 170,000 units (40%). This procurement is part of India's 'Make in India' initiative, emphasizing local production and self-reliance.

The CQB carbines are intended to replace aging Sterling carbines and are optimized for urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations. The contract is among the largest small-arms procurements in India, reflecting ongoing modernization and indigenization efforts within the Indian Army. Additionally, the Indian Army is exploring the acquisition of Long Range Artillery (LORA) missiles from IAI to enhance its precision strike capabilities against potential threats.