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also looking at acquiring 360,000 CQB car-
bines under Buy and Make (Indian) with Buy
component as ’Nil”.
According to sources, Caracal has part-
nered with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence
Ltd to manufacture about 350,000 of these
CAR816 rifles in India, under the “Make in
India” programme. An agreement to this effect [ SMALL ARMS SYSTEMS ]
is expected to be inked before the end of this
year, sources confirmed. The CQB will help the
Indian Army to replace its age-old 9mm Sterling
carbine. The Indian Army plans to spend around
3500 crore rupees in acquiring new armaments
citing urgent operational requirements.

The procurement of approximately 6000 sniper
rifles is also on track for closure. The sniper rifle
requirement is also being progressed though
the global procurement route. However the
ammunition for sniper rifles for future require-
ments will have to be manufactured in India.
The thought process is to have an Indian com-
pany acquire ToT and manufacture the .338
calibre ammunition in India.
There is a new thinking that armies should
standardise their assault rifles and carbines
on a single cartridge for ease of logistic and
production issues. However, the current dispen-
sation does not believe this to be a significant
issue considering the operational requirements
for varied combat scenarios necessitates the
forces to equip themselves with different cal-
ibre weapons. Inventory of small arms in the
Indian Army includes Handguns, Submachine ARMED SOLDIERS WILL BE CRITICAL TO SUCCESS
Guns, Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles and Machine IN WARS, ESPECIALLY IN THE PARADIGM OF
Guns.
HYBRID WARS WHICH ARE ON THE RISE. THE
Emerging Opportunity SOLDIERS WILL REQUIRE A FAMILY OF SMALL
The Indian armed and paramilitary forces have ARMS SUITABLE FOR FUTURE WARS. THESE
been juggling with a host of weapons since WILL NOT ONLY BE REQUIRED BY THE ARMED
Independence. The assortment of weapons FORCES BUT ALSO BY CAPFS AND STATE POLICE
is due to staggered purchase cycles and
decentralized purchase for paramilitary forces. FORCES, THUS OFFERING GREAT NUMBERS AND
Certain mix of weapons is also necessitated CONSEQUENTIALLY HUGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
by the operational requirements of the weap- THE INDUSTRY. A NUMBER OF CASES FOR SMALL
ons. The operational requirement of a weapon ARMS PROCUREMENTS ARE UNDER PROGRESS
for a frontline soldier is very different from the
operational requirement of non- frontline sol- AND ON THE ANVIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE,”
diers. Small arms in the Indian Army have been Lt. Gen. (Retd) Vinod Bhatia.
procured from multiple countries including but
not limited to Russia, USA, Israel and Germany. The Indian army has moved from its earlier 7.62mm calibre self-load-

ing rifle to the 5.56mm calibre INSAS rifle. Unfortunately, over time
the 5.56mm proved inadequate as the enemy were proving to be
“FUTURE WARS WILL INVOLVE fast and elusive targets, in addition to being motivated to strike back
MULTI DOMAIN OPERATIONS BUT even on being injured. Further, body armour came to be used more
THE PRIMACY OF THE MAN ON and more, rendering the smaller 5.56 caliber ineffective. Hence, the
GROUND WILL REMAIN. THE NEED debate is coming full circle now. Militaries the world over, especially
those that have fought long wars, are actively considering moving
TO HAVE SUITABLY EQUIPPED AND from 5.56 to the old 7.62 round.

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