In a boost to firepower of the infantry soldiers especially those deployed on the Line of Control (LOC) facing Pakistan, India has signed a contract worth over Rs 880 crore for procuring 16,479 light machine guns(LMG)with an Israeli manufacturer.  This ends the long pending requirement of the Army to equip the foot soldier with latest and lethal guns.

The deal for the Negev 7.62mm LMGs was inked on Thursday with Israel Weapons Industry.  The contract was inked by the acquisition wing of the Defence Ministry with the approval of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said here.

 The contracted Negev 7.62X51 mm LMG is a combat proven weapon and currently used by several countries around the globe. LMG will greatly enhance the lethality and range of  Indian soldier vis-a-vis the presently used weapon.

 The provisioning of this operationally urgent and very critically needed weapon will boost the confidence of the frontline troops and provide much needed combat power to the Armed Forces. This deal comes a year after India inked a major deal for 72,400 assault rifles for the infantry.  The Rs 700 crore deal with Sig Sauer of US came almost 15 years after the Army proposed to replace its current rifles.

Separate tenders are under way for 5.5 lakh assault rifles and 3.5 lakh carbines, bulk of them to be procured from the Indian industry under 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category and a small share from the Ordnance Factory Board .

 In January 2018, the Defence Acquisition Council approved initial approval for the procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines at an estimated cost of ?3,547 crore on fast track basis. The assault rifles are of 7.62mm calibre while the Carbines will be of 5.56mm calibre.

The deal for carbines is in an advanced stage.