DRDO-Bharat Forge carbine to strengthen Army’s close-combat capabilities

In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the 5.56x45 mm Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbine, designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of DRDO and produced by Bharat Forge Ltd, has been selected as the L1 (lowest bidder) in the Indian Army’s Request for Proposal (RFP).

The announcement, shared by DRDO via X, marks a significant stride in advancing the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the small arms domain, a segment historically dependent on imports.

Engineered by ARDE’s Pune-based facility, the lightweight and compact carbine is tailored for close-combat scenarios, offering a combination of high reliability and effective firepower. ARDE is a key establishment under DRDO’s Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster.

The selection of Bharat Forge, a major player in India’s private defence sector, underscores the growing involvement of domestic industry in delivering advanced weapon systems to the Indian armed forces. The CQB carbine project also reflects the increasing success of public-private partnerships in Indian defence R&D and production.

According to Officials from DRDO, the Request for Proposal (RFP), issued in November 2022, called for the procurement of over 4.23 lakh CQB carbines for close combat roles in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI/CT) operations. Multiple Indian firms fielded their weapon systems in response. After exhaustive performance evaluations, quality assessments, and maintainability trials across diverse terrains and conditions, five weapon systems qualified. Among these, the ARDE-designed, Bharat Forge-manufactured carbine secured the L1 position.

The 5.56×45 mm CQB carbine is a lightweight, compact, and highly effective weapon engineered for close-quarter engagements. Built using high-strength steel alloy, the weapon features a machined upper and lower body with a bottom-opening configuration. Notably, it is capable of firing both NATO-standard and INSAS 5.56×45 mm ammunition.

Weighing under 3.3 kg and with an effective range of 200 meters, the carbine incorporates advanced forged steel and metal injection moulding technologies, ensuring high reliability and accuracy. The weapon includes a 30-round magazine and boasts a high rate of fire.

Officials from DRDO stated that the weapon has undergone rigorous testing in extreme conditions, ranging from sub-zero temperatures to scorching heat across varied terrains. The success of the ARDE-Bharat Forge CQB carbine underlines India’s growing capability in designing and delivering world-class indigenous weapon systems for its armed forces.