New Delhi: The Indian Army will begin inducting the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines into its ranks from 2026, following a major procurement contract.

The deal, worth Rs 27,770 crore, covers the purchase of 4.25 lakh CQB carbines to replace and modernise small arms across infantry units.

According to Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General, Infantry, defence firms have been given a strict timeline to complete deliveries.

“Companies must supply the entire consignment within two years,” he said on Wednesday, underscoring the urgency behind the fast-track modernisation drive.

The contract, finalised last month, was signed between the Defence Ministry and two manufacturing entities: Bharat Forge — a unit of Kalyani Strategic Systems — and PLR Systems, a joint venture formed by t

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