Big boost for Army: Adani Defence delivers first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns | India News
Adani Defense and Aerospace on Saturday handed over the first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns (LMGs). Indian Army In Gwalior, marking an initial milestone in a large-scale order for around 40,000 weapons under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The aim of the handover is to increase the Army’s frontline firepower along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).The shipment was dispatched from the company’s small arms manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Gwalior, about 11 months ahead of schedule.
The official flag-off was conducted by A Anbarsu, Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, who appreciated the timely completion of the project.“The journey that begins today has taken us six years, starting from the submission of bids, and we have delivered the first batch 11 months ahead of schedule,” he said while flagging off the first shipment.Watch LMG: Key SpecificationsThe Pahor LMG is a 7.62 mm-caliber weapon with an effective range of 1,000 meters.
- Weight: 8 kg
- Barrel length: 508 mm
- Indigenous Content: More than 90% of ingredients are indigenously sourced
- Designed for high-efficiency use in high-tension deployment zones, the weapon is expected to enhance operational capabilities across critical fronts.
Increase production
Adani Defense is set to ramp up production to around 1,000 LMGs per month from April 2026, targeting to complete the entire order within three years – much ahead of the original seven-year timeline.CEO Ashish Rajvanshi says the project represents more than just a deal:“The original timeline was over seven years, but I can assure you that within the next three years, the entire order will be delivered.”Rajvanshi added that the program underscores Adani’s transformation into a full-scale Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for small arms.“It took us six years to get to this point…with the team’s persistence and policy support, we moved from a component manufacturer to a complete gun OEM.”The 100-acre Gwalior facility integrates:
- CNC machining and robotics
- Advanced metallurgical and testing systems
- Annual capacity is 100,000 firearms and 300 million rounds of small-caliber ammunition.
Expansion capacity and future plans
The company’s vision extends beyond the Prahar project towards developing a comprehensive ecosystem for indigenous small arms in India. Future production lines will include assault rifles, sniper systems, carbines, pistols and close quarter battle (CQB) weapons.Positioned as a key node in India’s evolving defense manufacturing landscape, the Gwalior plant is expected to serve both domestic and export markets, supporting the government’s broader goals of self-reliance under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
