Adani Defense and Aerospace on Saturday handed over the first batch of 2,000 Praha light machine guns (LMG) to the Ministry of Defense indian army Gwalior marks an early milestone in the massive order of around 40,000 weapons under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The handover is aimed at enhancing the Army’s frontline firepower along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).The shipment was dispatched from the company’s small arms manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Gwalior, nearly 11 months ahead of schedule.The official launch ceremony was presided over by Director, Procurement Division, Ministry of Defence, A Anbarasu, who expressed his appreciation for the timely completion of the project.“The journey that begins today, which took us six years from the time we submitted the bid, has us delivering the first shipment 11 months ahead of schedule,” he said as he waved the first shipment.Prahar LMG: Key specificationsThe Prahar LMG is a 7.62 mm caliber weapon with an effective range of 1,000 meters.
- Weight: 8kg
- Barrel length: 508 mm
- Local content: More than 90% of components come from China
- The weapon is designed for efficient use in tight deployment areas and is expected to enhance combat capabilities on key fronts.
Expand production
Adani Defense plans to increase light machine gun production to about 1,000 units per month starting in April 2026, with the goal of completing all orders within three years, well ahead of the original seven-year timetable.CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said the project is more than just a contract:“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 plan highlights Adani’s transformation into a full-scale original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of small arms.“It took us six years to get to this point…With the persistence of the team and the support of policies, we have transformed from a parts manufacturer to a complete gun OEM.”The 100-acre Gwalior facility incorporates:
- CNC machining and robotics
- Advanced metallurgy and testing systems
- Annual output of 100,000 guns and 300 million rounds of small-caliber ammunition
Expansion capabilities and future plans
The company’s vision goes beyond Project Prahal to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for India’s indigenous small arms. Future product lines will include assault rifles, sniper systems, carbines, pistols and close quarters combat (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 self-reliance goals under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
