According to information released by The Print website on July 15, 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council of India could soon take the decision to acquire new Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines CAR 816 manufactured by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) firearms company Caracal which is now part of EDGE, advanced technology group of UAE.
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Army Recognition editorial has tested the Caracal CAR 816 during BIDEC defense exhibition in Bahrain. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has reported the purchase of a new close quarter battle (CQB) carbines from the UAE-based company Caracal with a total of 93,895 weapons. The new Caracal close quarter battle (CQB) carbines will replace the aging 9mm British Sterling 1A1 submachine guns which in service for many years with the Indian Armed Forces.
According to our information, the Caracal CAR 816 could be the rifle selected by the Indian Defence Acquisition Council. The CAR 816, also called Caracal Sultan or simply Sultan, is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle that is produced by Caracal International in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The rifle is also called Sultan in memory of the Emirati Colonel Sultan Mohammed Ali al-Kitbi who was killed in action in Saudi-led intervention in Yemen
The Caracal CAR 816 is based on the design of American-made AR-15 and is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. The operating system is a short-stroke pushrod gas piston system. The gas systems are controlled by an adjustable gas valve with three positions. The position one of the adjustable gas valve is for normal operation. Position two is for operation in adverse conditions, low impulse ammunition, or when the system becomes fouled. The position three is for normal operation with a sound suppressor affixed and allows cycling of the action.
The Caracal CAR 816 has a full-auto fire control group with a high rate of fire at 850 rounds per minute. It also has specific features including fully ambidextrous controls including the selector switch and in option, an ambidextrous magazine release.
The Caracal CAR 816 is available in various barrel lengths 10.5” CQB, 14.5” Carbine, and 16” Carbine Rifle. The CQB version of the CAR 816 has an overall length of 778mm and a weight of 3.05 kg without the magazine.
