Israel Light Machine Guns for India: A big defence company from Israel says it will send a huge first batch of 40,000 light machine guns to India early next year. The company also plans to sign a deal soon to give India almost 1,70,000 new carbines. Shuki Schwartz, the CEO of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), explained these plans in an interview with PTI. He said the company also works with many groups inside India’s Ministry of Home Affairs to offer pistols, rifles, and other weapons.
Schwartz said, “We’re now involved in three significant programmes. First is the contract for 40,000 light machine guns, which was signed last year. We have completed all tests, trials, and government checks, and we have received the license for production. We intend to supply the first batch at the beginning of the year.” He also explained that the full supply of the LMGs will run for five years.
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Plans for Carbines
Schwartz spoke about the second big project too. This one is about CQB carbines, which India needs for close-range fighting. IWI came second in the tender, and Bharat Forge is the main bidder. According to ET he said, “We intend to supply 40 per cent of the contract. We are in the stage of pre-signing of the contract, and I believe it will be finalised by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.” Bharat Forge will supply 60% of the carbines, and PLR Systems, which belongs to the Adani Group, will deliver the other 40%, or about 1,70,000 units.
He also talked about a new computerised weapon system called Arbel. This system uses a special algorithm that helps a soldier fire quickly and more accurately when the target is in sight. Schwartz said they are still talking with India about this new system.
He said, “We are in the initial stages of discussions with different agencies to adopt the Arbel systems. Once they take it, we will supply it through co-production in Israel and India.” He explained that PLR Systems will manage the production inside India.
Growing Work with India
Schwartz said the company is also working with many groups under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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He said, “We are also collaborating with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and various agencies within MHA to sell our complete range of products, which includes pistols, rifles, and light machine guns. Our dealings involve smaller quantities across many contracts, and we have been working in this area for several years.” When he spoke about yearly supply numbers, he said they might be “tens of thousands of weapons a year.”
He noted that India wants fast delivery because of the current situation in the region. He pointed out that IWI supported the ‘Make in India’ plan early on and helped grow weapon production inside India. IWI also works closely with the Adani Group through PLR Systems to make light weapons and bring Arbel tech to India.
When asked about the ban by some European countries on certain equipment, he said, “Israel needs to enhance its self-reliance for this reason, and we have our supply chain to support defence forces globally. We have developed this supply chain to further our mission.”
