A FULLY indigenous and highly effective system for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI/CT) operations, the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine developed by the Pune-based facility of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Pune-headquartered Bharat Forge as development partner — is ready to be inducted into the Indian Army for frontline operations.
The lightweight, compact and effective weapon system has been designed by the Pune based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) which is a key facility of Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster of the DRDO. A post on X by the DRDO read, “Significantly boosting Atma Nirbharta in critical technology, 5.56×45 mm CQB Carbine, designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment and produced by Bharat Forge Ltd selected as L1 in Indian Army Request for Proposal (RFP).”
An RFP was initiated by the Ministry of Defence for procurement of more than 4.23 lakh units of the Close Quarter Battle carbines in November 2022. The CQB designed by ARDE and manufactured by the development partner, Bharat Forge Ltd was also fielded. Many other industries also fielded their respective products. After extensive performance evaluation and other quality and maintainability trials, five weapons were qualified. CQB carbine fielded by Bharat Forge Limited and designed by ARDE was the lowest bidder (L1), DRDO officials said.
ARDE selected Bharat Forge Limited and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) — which is a government of India enterprise — through a competitive bidding process for development contracts and established the technology with both industry partners in a span of two years. The CQB weapons manufactured by both the industry partners had qualified in the RFP trials and Bharat Forge manufactured system emerged as the lowest bidder.
The 5.56×45 mm CQB carbine is a light weight, compact, effective weapon for use in close combat CI/CT operations. The design of CQB carbine is based on the high strength steel alloy based machined upper and lower bodies with bottom opening configuration. The CQB carbine is designed to fire in-service 5.56×45 mm ammunition.
One of the unique features is it can fire both the NATO ammunition and INSAS ammunition. The weapon weighs less than 3.3kg with an effective range of 200 meters. ARDE-Bharat Forge CQB is a 100 percent Make in India weapon, DRDO officials said. The carbine uses forged steel technology and metal injection moulding technology which makes it highly reliable and accurate. The weapon is equipped with a 30 round magazine with a very high rate of fire.
The weapon was tested in all terrains, operating conditions and in temperature ranges from subzero to scorching heat conditions. “It is a case of full synergy between the development agency and manufacturing agency which has led to the success of the product making the DRDO proud.” an officer said.
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ARDE has already developed a 7.62×51 mm Assault Rifle named Ugram, which means ferocious. Ugram’s design is based on the CQB Carbine platform and has an effective range of 500 meters. This weapon is being manufactured by Hyderabad based Dvipa Defence India Pvt Ltd as a development partner.
