Adani Defence and Aerospace on Saturday handed over the first batch of 2,000 Prahar Light Machine Guns to the Armed Forces, marking a significant step in India’s push for domestic defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The delivery was carried out at the company’s Small Arms Complex located on the outskirts of Gwalior, where the 7.62 mm calibre weapons have been manufactured. The handover marks the beginning of a larger contract to supply 41,000 Light Machine Guns to the Armed Forces over a stipulated period of seven years.
According to Chief Executive Officer Ashish Rajvanshi, the company aims to accelerate production and complete deliveries well ahead of schedule. He said the current pace of manufacturing could enable the firm to fulfil the entire order in less than three years, significantly reducing the originally planned timeline.
Rajvanshi indicated that the facility is targeting a production capacity of 1,000 Light Machine Guns per month, describing the scale and speed of output as unprecedented in the sector. He attributed the progress to sustained efforts over several years and the alignment of industrial capability with national defence objectives.
The event was attended by senior officials, including A Anbarasu, Director General (Acquisition) at the Ministry of Defence, who flagged off trucks carrying the first consignment destined for the Army. He noted that the delivery reflects the ability to convert defence contracts into operational output within tight timelines.
Officials said the project is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities in the defence sector. The company stated that the development process involved acquiring base technologies through partnerships, followed by gradual localisation and capability building.
Rajvanshi said the journey towards manufacturing complete weapon systems began in 2020, aligned with the national objective of achieving self-reliance in defence production. Over a period of six years, the company transitioned from component manufacturing to becoming an original equipment manufacturer of small arms.
The Prahar Light Machine Gun is designed to meet operational requirements of the Armed Forces, with production taking place entirely within India. The delivery marks an operational milestone in the ongoing effort to build a domestic defence industrial base capable of supporting large-scale military procurement.
The development underscores the increasing role of private sector participation in defence manufacturing, particularly in meeting the Armed Forces’ requirements through locally produced systems.
With the initial batch now dispatched, attention will shift to sustaining production momentum and meeting delivery commitments within the revised timeline, as the project progresses toward full-scale execution.
