New Delhi: The Central government has decided to procure about 4.25 lakh indigenously manufactured Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines for the Indian Army under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ project. It has also allocated a sum of ₹5,000 crore for the purpose.
Officials said the government may rope in private or public sector firms to supply 5.56×45 mm CQB carbines, as they are urgently needed. “It has been learnt that the government is negotiating the contract for supply of 4,25,213 CQB carbines with two firms to fast-track the process,” they maintained.
The move from the defence ministry suggests that the firm with the best bid can get an order to build more than 200,000 carbines, while the other firm will be contracted to manufacture and supply the remaining carbines.
“The ministry has proposed to fast-track the process as in normal case, it takes more than three years to supply the orders once the same is approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC),” said a senior officer, wishing not to be quoted.
Also Read: MoD signs ₹1700-cr deal to buy BrahMos missiles for Indian Navy
Earlier in 2018, the defence ministry had shortlisted a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based arms manufacturer, Caracal, to supply 93,895 CQB carbines with 5.56×45 mm bore. The deal was almost in its final stages. However, the defense ministry imposed a ban on arms imports to strengthen the defence industry under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The then defence secretary Ajay Kumar had decided to cancel the deal with UAE-based firm after a meeting held on this issue in September, 2020. Now, 4.25 lakh indigenous carbines will be manufactured towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The Army urgently needs the CQB carbine, so the contract is likely to be completed as soon as possible under a fast-track process.
Also Read: DRDO, Army complete flight tests of quick response missiles
- Plan to allocate this contract to two private or public sector manufacturers
- Army needs carbines the most, so fast track process will be procurement
