The contract has been awarded for the supply of 255,128 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines (5.56 x 45 mm) to the Indian Army.
“Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) signs its largest Small Arms Contract with Ministry of Defence for Supply of Indigenously Designed and Developed CQB Carbine (5.56 x 45 mm),” the company said in a press release.
As per the press release dated December 30, 2025, the contract was signed on the same day and execution is expected to begin within five years.
The CQB Carbine in question is indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) as a joint effort by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), a DRDO laboratory, and Bharat Forge Ltd., based in Pune.
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The 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine is a modern, compact firearm intended for close combat and is said to be the outcome of years of domestic research and defence innovation. The development is aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at promoting self-reliance in defence production.The announcement also highlighted the role of Bharat Forge’s wholly-owned defence arm, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), in contributing to the project.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to providing the Indian Armed Forces with indigenous, advanced defence platforms and equipment marked with the ‘Made in India’ label.
On Tuesday, the shares of Bharat Forge closed 0.7% higher at Rs 1,454.90 on the BSE.
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