UAE-based Caracal, a subsidiary of the EDGE Group, has secured a significant contract in collaboration with Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) arm Icomm Tele, to supply 200 CSR 338 sniper rifles to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in India.
The production and delivery of these rifles will take place at the newly inaugurated Icomm–Caracal Small Arms Complex located in Hyderabad. This facility is poised to serve as a pivotal manufacturing hub for advanced weaponry, catering not only to the Indian Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces but also to global export markets.
The initial batch of these India-manufactured CSR 338 rifles is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025. The CSR 338 is renowned for its high performance as a bolt-action sniper rifle, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, and is equipped with a 27-inch barrel, a 10-round magazine, ambidextrous controls, a two-stage adjustable trigger, and a four-position, telescopic foldable stock.
Hamad Alameri, CEO of Caracal, emphasized that this “historic transfer of technology” represents a significant milestone in UAE-India defense collaboration. He noted that it highlights a strong commitment to the “Make in India” initiative championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Moreover, Sumanth Paturu, Director of Icomm Tele, expressed that this partnership not only equips the CRPF with cutting-edge sniper systems but also enhances India’s defense landscape through the transfer of advanced technology and the creation of high-quality manufacturing jobs in Hyderabad.
This contract is a testament to India’s growing focus on self-reliance in defense production and the importance of international cooperation to bolster national security and advance critical military technological capabilities.
