Bharat Forge has achieved the status of the lowest bidder (L1) in a significant Indian Army tender aimed at supplying indigenously developed close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines. This development represents a crucial milestone in India’s efforts toward defense self-reliance. The carbines, designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) under the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be manufactured by Bharat Forge’s defense subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSS).
Although the official contract value remains undisclosed, various reports suggest it may be around ₹2,000 crore. This figure has the potential to make it the largest carbine order in India since the introduction of INSAS rifles more than two decades ago. The Indian Army is anticipated to procure over 400,000 units as part of this contract.
In a post on social media, DRDO announced, “Significantly boosting #atmanirbharta in critical technology, 5.56×45 mm CQB Carbine, designed and developed by ARDE, DRDO and produced by @BharatForgeLtd selected as L1 in #IndianArmy RFP.”
Designed to fulfill the Army’s ongoing demand for a compact, modern weapon capable of handling close combat situations, the CQB carbine is expected to enhance the infantry’s operational effectiveness in urban and jungle warfare environments.
The announcement positively influenced investor sentiment, with Bharat Forge shares increasing by over 1% despite a generally weak market. This achievement marks a significant advancement for Kalyani Strategic Systems, which has primarily relied on exports for revenue thus far.
Bharat Forge currently maintains a defense order book amounting to nearly ₹9,500 crore and has forecasted a 15–20% growth in its order book for FY26. Chief Financial Officer Kedar Dixit indicated that while FY25 was heavily driven by export orders, the upcoming fiscal year is likely to be characterized by substantial domestic defense contracts. During the previous fiscal period, the company secured new business worth ₹6,959 crore, with approximately ₹5,000 crore obtained from the defense sector alone.
This tender win is a significant advancement in India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, positioning Bharat Forge as a vital contributor to the modernization and indigenization of the armed forces.
