Govt inks ₹4,666-cr deals for advanced carbines, torpedoes

The contract for more than 4.25 lakh carbines worth ₹2,770 crore was signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, the defence ministry said. These carbines will replace the existing decades-old sub machine guns based on a 1940s design,.

This marks the culmination of an extraordinary, persistent effort to equip Indian soldiers with a world-class lethal carbine, replacing legacy systems with cutting-edge indigenous technology under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision, it said in a statement.

The new carbines will address a long-standing need, and the order comes after several failed attempts to buy the weapon. The contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge and Adani Group’s PLR Systems --- the lowest and the second-lowest bidders --- in the ratio of 60:40, HT has learnt. The deliveries will begin in a year.