New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced new contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for state-of-the-art battle carbines (lethal guns for soldiers) and torpedoes for the Indian Army and Navy. On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the MoD awarded contracts for these requirements in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi.
Under the first contract worth ₹2,770 crore, over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and their accessories will be procured for the Indian Army and Navy. The contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge and Adani Enterprises-backed PLR systems, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. These infantry weapons will replace the ageing and outdated carbines with battle-ready, modern and lighter weapons that can remain crucial for counterinsurgency and urban combat battles.
Under the second contract, the Indian Navy will receive 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for their Kaveri Class Submarines under Project 75. The contract, worth about ₹ 1,896 crores, was awarded to WASS Submarine Systems from Italy. Deliveries are expected to begin in April 2028 and be completed by early 2030.
These would help boost underwater attacks to help submarines detect and destroy enemy threats more effectively.
In 2025, the MoD has signed defence contracts worth ₹1,82,492 crore for armed forces modernization. Moving ahead, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given its initial approval for purchasing military hardware worth ₹79,000 crore, including beyond visual range missiles, long range rockets, radars, loitering munitions and drone detection and interception systems, amongst others.
India’s defence modernization efforts have been plagued by bureaucratic delays and red tape. With fresh internal and external security threats approaching, the DAC is expected to fast track procurement, with approvals received for buying High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Navy, Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for the Air Force as well as Full Mission Simulators for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas for enhanced pilot training.
Following the news, the Nifty India Defence Index rose 1.31%.
