India Strengthens Infantry and Undersea Warfare Capabilities with ₹4,666 Crore D...

India Strengthens Infantry and Undersea Warfare Capabilities with ₹4,666 Crore Defence Deals

Major contracts cover indigenous CQB carbines for soldiers and advanced torpedoes for Navy submarines

India has taken another significant step in modernising its armed forces, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signing contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for new Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes. The agreements, formalised on December 30, 2025, reflect New Delhi’s push to enhance frontline combat readiness while reducing dependence on imports through domestic manufacturing.

The contracts were signed at South Block, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, according to an official government statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Indigenous Firepower for Frontline Troops

A major portion of the deal—₹2,770 crore—covers the procurement of over 4.25 lakh CQB Carbines for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The weapons will be supplied by Bharat Forge Limited in partnership with PLR Systems Private Limited, both Indian firms.

CQB carbines are designed for close-range combat, particularly in urban areas, dense terrain, and counter-insurgency operations. Defence analysts note that these compact, high-rate-of-fire weapons will replace older systems that have been in service for decades, giving troops better mobility, accuracy, and reliability in confined battle spaces.

Officials say the project aligns with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Make in India initiatives. Beyond military capability, the programme is expected to generate employment and support micro, small and medium enterprises involved in components, materials, and sub-systems for the carbines.

Boost to Submarine Strike Capability

The second contract, valued at approximately ₹1,896 crore, is for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines under Project 75. The agreement has been signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. of Italy.

These torpedoes are considered critical for undersea warfare, offering advanced guidance, range, and lethality against surface ships and enemy submarines. Naval experts point out that the Kalvari-class submarines form a key element of India’s conventional submarine fleet, especially in the Indian Ocean Region, where undersea competition has intensified in recent years.

According to the MoD, deliveries of the torpedoes will begin in April 2028 and are scheduled to be completed by early 2030, ensuring long-term operational readiness for the Navy’s submarine arm.

Part of a Larger Modernisation Drive

The latest contracts are part of a broader defence modernisation effort. In the ongoing financial year 2025–26, the Ministry of Defence has signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1.82 lakh crore, underlining the scale of investment being directed toward upgrading weapons, platforms, and technologies across the armed forces.

Security experts say these procurements send a strong signal about India’s focus on self-reliance, deterrence, and preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges, particularly in maritime and land-based combat scenarios.

Strategic and Economic Implications

While the torpedo deal includes a foreign supplier, officials emphasise that such acquisitions are aimed at bridging critical capability gaps where domestic alternatives are not yet available. At the same time, the large-scale induction of indigenous small arms is seen as a milestone in reforming India’s long-delayed infantry modernisation programme.

Together, the two contracts strengthen India’s combat posture on land and at sea, while reinforcing the government’s stated goal of building a robust domestic defence industrial ecosystem.

India has approved ₹4,666 crore in defence contracts to upgrade infantry weapons and submarine strike capabilities. The deals include indigenous CQB carbines for soldiers and advanced heavy weight torpedoes for Navy submarines, highlighting a dual focus on self-reliance and operational readiness. The move is part of a wider ₹1.82 lakh crore modernisation push this financial year.