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CARACAL Opens Small Arms Factory in India to Support Local Production and Defense Self-Reliance.
Hyderabad and Abu Dhabi have taken a major step forward in their bilateral defence cooperation with the inauguration on April 21, 2025, of a new small arms manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India. This joint industrial project stems from an agreement between CARACAL, a UAE-based small arms manufacturer and part of the EDGE Group, and the Indian company ICOMM Tele Ltd, a subsidiary of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL). Located within ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility, the plant is based on a technology transfer from the UAE to India—a first in the history of defence relations between the two countries.
The facility will produce a range of CARACAL-designed weapons, including CAR 816 and CAR 817 rifles, and CSR-series sniper rifles in multiple calibers to NATO and international standards (Picture source: Army Recognition)
This initiative supports India’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” programmes, launched by the Indian government to bolster the country's industrial and technological self-reliance in the defence sector. The facility, designed to meet international standards, will manufacture a wide range of CARACAL-developed individual weapons, including the CAR 816 assault rifle (5.56x45 mm NATO), the CAR 817 battle rifle (7.62x51 mm NATO), as well as the bolt-action sniper rifles CSR 338 (.338 Lapua Magnum), CSR 308 (.308 Winchester), and CSR 50 (12.7x99 mm NATO). It will also produce the CMP9 submachine gun (9x19 mm) and the CARACAL EF and CARACAL F GEN II semi-automatic pistols (9x19 mm).
These weapons are intended for use by the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), special forces units, state police forces, and the Special Protection Group (SPG). Additionally, the facility will support CARACAL’s international orders, reinforcing India’s role as an industrial platform for the global defence market.
At the inauguration ceremony, ICOMM Tele Ltd Managing Director Sumanth Paturu highlighted the project’s strategic relevance for India’s national autonomy. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local production not only for India’s defence and security forces but also for international markets. He described the cooperation with CARACAL as a demonstration of mutual confidence, precise execution, and long-term industrial alignment.
CARACAL CEO Hamad Alameri described the launch of the facility as a significant step in the company’s integration into India’s defence industrial base. He noted that this marked the first-ever transfer of small arms manufacturing technology from the UAE to India. He also pointed to the positive results already achieved during technical evaluations by two Indian special forces units, as well as the ongoing trial processes with the Indian Army.
This initiative fits into a broader strategic approach aimed at strengthening bilateral industrial ties and fostering the development of sovereign defence production capabilities. By supporting CARACAL’s international programmes, the Hyderabad facility also positions India as a key player in the global supply chain for small arms manufacturing.
Founded in 2019, EDGE is now one of the world’s major technology groups in the defence sector, bringing together over 35 entities across six core business clusters. The group focuses on the development of disruptive technological solutions driven by Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, including autonomous systems, smart materials, robotics, advanced propulsion systems, and cyber-physical platforms.
The construction of this facility in Hyderabad represents a strategic development on multiple levels. It aligns with India’s objective of reducing dependence on foreign military equipment while also enabling the country to acquire manufacturing know-how through this unprecedented industrial technology transfer. The factory will allow India to master the production of modern small arms, develop local technical expertise, and structure a sustainable defence industrial ecosystem.
From an operational standpoint, local production will facilitate faster and more reliable deliveries of weapons tailored to the specific needs of Indian military and security forces. Commercially, the site offers an opportunity to expand exports through CARACAL’s international distribution network while contributing to India’s economy through investment, skilled job creation, and the transfer of technological capabilities.
India and the UAE have maintained a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2017, with defence cooperation now becoming a priority area. The CARACAL–ICOMM project in Hyderabad illustrates the evolution of this relationship, delivering a practical, long-term industrial collaboration with substantial impact. Before this facility, CARACAL had no manufacturing presence in India, despite previous efforts to enter the market, including a bid in 2018 to supply CAR 816 rifles to the Indian Army. The launch of this facility marks a turning point for the company, establishing its industrial footprint in India.
By combining CARACAL’s technologies with ICOMM’s production capabilities, the Hyderabad facility reflects a convergence of strategic interests between both nations. It enhances India’s standing as a future regional hub for small arms production while positioning the UAE as a significant partner in international defence industrial cooperation.