SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a landmark step toward strengthening India’s indigenous defense manufacturing, Caracal, a UAE-based small arms manufacturer under the EDGE Group, partnered with Hyderabad-based ICOMM Tele Limited to inaugurate a state-of-the-art small arms production facility in Hyderabad on April 22, 2025. This venture, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, aims to produce advanced firearms locally, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing India’s strategic autonomy.
The facility, a testament to growing UAE-India defense cooperation, is set to manufacture a comprehensive portfolio of Caracal’s small arms, including assault rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols, catering to the Indian armed forces and potentially regional markets. This development comes amid heightened regional tensions, including a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the urgency of self-reliant defense capabilities.
The Hyderabad facility marks a significant milestone in Caracal’s commitment to India, building on a 2020 agreement with the Indian Ministry of Defence to supply 93,895 CAR 816 assault rifles to the Indian Army under a fast-track procedure. The CAR 816, a 5.56x45mm NATO-caliber rifle derived from the M4 carbine, was selected for its reliability in extreme conditions, such as the high-altitude terrains of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, where Indian troops face frequent challenges. The new factory, established through a technology transfer agreement with ICOMM, a subsidiary of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), will produce these rifles entirely in India, ensuring compliance with India’s push for localized defense production.
ICOMM, known for its expertise in defense electronics, aerospace, and telecom infrastructure, brings significant manufacturing capabilities to the partnership. The facility is equipped to produce a range of Caracal’s advanced firearms, including the CAR 816, CMP 9 submachine gun, CSR 338/308 sniper rifles, and semi-automatic pistols. This portfolio is designed to meet the diverse needs of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, particularly for close-quarters combat and precision operations
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