DG Infantry Lt. General Ajay Kumar
Bharat Forge and PLR Systems, a joint venture between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Israel Weapon Industries, secured a landmark contract worth ₹2,770 crore last month for the supply of 4.25 lakh Close Quarters Battle (CQB) carbines. The contract is part of the Indian Army’s ongoing modernisation efforts, announced Director General of Infantry, Lt General Ajay Kumar, on Wednesday.
The carbines, expected to be inducted into service starting September 2026, will significantly enhance the Army’s close-range combat capabilities. Bharat Forge will be responsible for delivering 60% of the carbines, while PLR Systems will supply the remaining 40%, Lt Gen Kumar said ahead of Shaurya Diwas, the Infantry Day commemorated on October 27.
Carbines replace outdated Sterling rifles; induction starts September 2026
The acquisition aims to replace the ageing 9x19mm Sterling carbines, which have been in service for over two decades. Originally designed in the 1940s, the Sterling carbine is now considered outdated, particularly for modern counter-terrorism and close-quarters combat scenarios.
“The modernisation of Infantry forces is progressing across multiple domains—lethality, mobility, battlefield transparency, situational awareness, survivability, and training,” Lt Gen Kumar stated, emphasising the broad scope of the Army’s transformation.
Infantry modernisation spans lethality, mobility, situational awareness, survivability
The carbines will bolster the lethality of Indian Infantry, aligning with the Army’s shift towards more effective close combat weaponry. As part of this modernisation, the Army has already upgraded its assault rifles and light machine guns (LMGs) from 5.56 mm to 7.62 mm calibres. Similarly, older sniper rifles are being replaced with .338 calibre models to enhance long-range precision.
In addition, the Infantry is also enhancing its anti-tank capabilities. The Army is transitioning from 2nd-generation to 4th and 5th-generation anti-tank technologies, including next-generation, lightweight rocket launchers with improved operational effectiveness.
Shift to advanced calibres: assault rifles, LMGs, sniper rifles upgraded
While the focus remains on “Atmanirbharta” (self-reliance), the Ministry of Defence has approved the acquisition of 104 Javelin missiles and 12 launchers from the U.S.-based joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. This advanced shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, strongly advocated by the Trump administration, is being procured under an emergency procurement (EP) scheme.
To meet the demands of future warfare, the Indian Army is also strengthening its special operations forces. Five battalions of the elite ‘Bhairav’ light commandos have already been deployed, with 20 more units planned to be raised within the next six months. These battalions, designed to bridge the gap between conventional Infantry and special forces, are tailored for rapid, high-impact operations along India’s borders with China and Pakistan.
Special forces expansion: 5 Bhairav battalions deployed, 20 more planned
“The Bhairav battalions are lean, lethal, and highly mobile, optimised for swift operations in high-intensity scenarios,” Lt Gen Kumar added, highlighting their role in reinforcing the Army’s ability to respond to emerging security threats.
Drones, increasingly central to modern warfare, also feature prominently in the Army’s future plans. Lt Gen Kumar announced that the Infantry has raised 380 ASHNI platoons dedicated to drone operations. These platoons participated in Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in Arunachal Pradesh last month, testing their capabilities in a real-world combat environment. Each ASHNI platoon, consisting of 20 specially trained soldiers, is equipped with a variety of drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and combat operations.
Published on October 22, 2025