For over two decades, Indian Navy warships and close protection duty sentries carried creaky World War 2-era Sterling carbines. Replacements were held up because the navy’s requirement for 6,758 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines was bunched with the Indian Army’s larger requirement for these weapons.

The army’s carbine requirements were bogged down in various delays— the CQB carbine procurement was restarted after a resultant single vendor case of the 2011 RFP global Request for Proposal (RFP) for 44,618 carbines was issued. While firms like Beretta, Colt, and Sig Sauer participated, only Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) qualified. In 2018, UAE-based Caracal emerged as L1 with its CAR-816 carbine. This tender was scrapped in September 2020 in favour of a new tender favouring only Make in India carbine solutions. 

The navy will get its 6,758 carbines from the lot of the army’s deal for 4.25 lakh CQBs signed on December 30 last year. The army was the lead service in the deal. Bharat Forge and Adani Defence are to supply the CQB carbines.

The Indian Navy obtained DAC (Defence Acquisition Council) clearance for its carbine procurement on September 26, 2008, and final approval with Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on 28 December 2010. Bharat Forge will supply 60% of the CQB carbines, and Adani Defence will supply 40% of the carbines. Bharat Forge will manufacture and supply the DRDO's Armaments Research Development Establishment (ARDE) CQB carbine, chambered in 5.56 x 45 mm cartridge.

The weapon can hit targets at a range of 200m and weighs around 3.3 kg (unloaded). It has a foldable butt and Picatinny rail for mounting optics. The carbine uses a 30-round curved STANAG-compatible magazine, ensuring interoperability with other standard infantry equipment. On the other hand, the Adani Defence will be supplying the Israeli-designed IWI (Israeli Weapons Industries) ACE 21N CQB carbine. It weighs 3.05 kg (unloaded). It has a rate of fire of between 680 and 880 rounds per minute.

The Indian Navy uses IWI weapons like the Masada Pistol, Tavor TAR-21 rifle, X-95 Tavor rifle, Negev LMG (chambered in 5.56 cartridge) and GALIL DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle).  The induction of the IWI ACE-21N carbine increases the presence of the company in the Indian market.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.