Adani Defence and Aerospace has delivered the first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns (LMGs) to the Indian Army, marking a significant boost to the Army’s infantry firepower under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The 7.62 mm-calibre LMGs have been manufactured at the company’s Small Arms Complex near Gwalior. A formal ceremony was held to mark the handover, attended by senior officials including A Anbarasu, Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, and Ashish Rajvanshi.
Following the ceremony, A Anbarasu flagged off trucks carrying the first batch of the weapons for delivery to Army units.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashish Rajvanshi highlighted that the milestone was achieved 11 months ahead of the original schedule. He added that the entire order of approximately 40,000 LMGs is expected to be completed within the next three years, significantly ahead of the initially planned timeline.
A Anbarasu praised the company for early delivery, stating that it reflects the defence industry’s growing capability to rapidly convert contracts into operational equipment. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting domestic defence manufacturers.
The ‘Prahar’ LMG induction aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defence production and modernisation of infantry weapons, enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
The development underscores the increasing role of private sector players in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
