Defence Ministry inks ₹4,666 cr. contracts for battle carbines, torpedoes

Why in news

The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the acquisition of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavyweight Torpedoes to bolster Indian Army and Navy capabilities.

Background

The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts: one for 4.25 lakh CQB Carbines from Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd (₹2,770 crore), and another for 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes from WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy (₹1,896 crore). Deliveries for the torpedoes are scheduled between April 2028 and early 2030.

Facts for Prelims

• FactTotal value of defence contracts signed: ₹4,666 crore
• FactQuantity of CQB Carbines to be supplied: over 4.25 lakh
• FactTorpedoes are intended for the Indian Navy's Kalvari Class submarines
• PostBharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd are the domestic suppliers for carbines
• PlaceWASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. is an Italian firm supplying torpedoes

For Mains

Q. Discuss the significance of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in enhancing India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and reducing import dependency.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Strategic autonomy: Reducing reliance on foreign OEMs for critical naval weaponry like torpedoes
• Industrial synergy: Leveraging private sector manufacturing (Bharat Forge) for large-scale small arms production
• Logistics timeline: Managing long-term procurement cycles for high-tech underwater warfare assets

Keywords: Atmanirbhar Bharat · Defence Procurement · Indigenization · Strategic Autonomy · Kalvari Class Submarines

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