India Ordered Almost Half a Million CQB Rifles

India has signed a $315 million contract for the supply of 425,000 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) rifles.

The agreement was signed with the Israeli-Indian joint venture PLR Systems and domestic manufacturer Bharat Forge, The Defense Post reported.

At least 60% of the production is expected to take place in India, as Bharat Forge will perform most of the local assembly.

The new 5.56×45 mm carbines are designed to replace the outdated 9×19 mm submachine guns to increase range, accuracy and stopping power in urban operations.

Deliveries will begin in 2026 and the contract is expected to be fully completed by 2028.

Lt. Gen. Ajay Kumar Singh called the deal part of the ongoing modernization of the infantry arsenal and increase in local production.

The CQB program provides for compact, modular weapons with high rates of fire for short-range and urban combat.

The solution complements other Indian initiatives: in 2023, the SIG 716 and AK-203, which are manufactured locally in Amethi, began to be introduced.

At the same time, the army is expanding contracts for night vision optics, barrage ammunition and the “future infantry soldier as a system” to increase self-sufficiency and combat readiness.

It was reported previously that the Ministry of Defense of India has signed a large-scale order for 2408 Nag Mk 2 anti-tank missiles and 107 NAMICA 2 tracked launchers.