Indian Army to Replace Old Carbines with New Advanced CQB Guns
The Indian Army is set to replace the old Sterling carbines, which were designed in the 1940s, with modern Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines. To manufacture these new guns, the Army has signed an agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Forge Limited. The project is worth ₹2,000 crore, and both DRDO and Bharat Forge have been selected as the L-1 bidders.

The new CQB carbines are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for quick action in close combat situations. These guns are chambered for 5.56×45 mm rounds and are designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. The production will be handled by Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge.

These modern carbines come with advanced features like optics and laser designators. They allow soldiers to respond quickly during encounters and offer better performance in close-range operations. Under this agreement, over 4 lakh CQB carbines will be produced and supplied to the Indian Army in the coming years.