Caracal, the UAE-based small-arms manufacturer, has entered the Indian market after winning a CRPF contract to supply 200 CSR .338 sniper rifles and 20,000 rounds of ammunition. The rifles will be supplied in collaboration with Megha Engineering & Infrastructures (MEIL) group firm Icomm Tele and manufactured at the joint-venture small arms facility in Hyderabad, inaugurated on 21 April to produce Caracal’s range in India.

The American company Barrett Firearms has also recorded a recent contract win. A report by ThePrint on 1 October said Maharashtra Police ordered 15 Barrett MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) sniper rifles in .338 Lapua Magnum, along with related accessories; Hughes Precision has been contracted for 30,000 rounds of ammunition. The rifles are being imported in parts and then assembled and packed in India, which the partner—Hughes Precision—says satisfies the ‘Make in India’ requirement. Hughes is Barrett’s Indian partner. Barrett is not new to India: the Model 98 (M98B) is in service with the NSG, the Indian Army operates the M99 (12.7×99mm), and the BSF fields the M107A1 (12.7×99mm).

The Barrett MRAD is designated MK 22 by the US military and has two primary variants: ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle) and PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle). The MK22 AS is used by US SOCOM, and the PSR by the US Army and Marine Corps. Both include conversion kits for .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62×51mm NATO. The MRAD’s modular design allows easy calibre conversion with a single tool. It has a monolithic upper receiver with an M-LOK compatible handguard for accessories; the stock folds to the side for compact storage and is adjustable for length-of-pull and cheek height. An adjustable trigger and robust construction aim to ensure smooth, reliable operation in harsh conditions.

The Hyderabad Icomm–Caracal facility will produce models including the CAR-816 Sultan (carbine), CAR-817 battle rifle, CSR .338 and CSR .308 sniper rifles, and Caracal F Gen II pistols. The JV bagged the CRPF contract on 20 September to supply 200 sniper rifles and 20,000 rounds.

The CSR .338, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, is designed for extended-range engagement. It features a 10-round magazine and ambidextrous magazine-release and safety mechanisms.

Caracal first attempted to enter India by signing an MoU with Kanpur-based MKU to manufacture the CAR-817 battle rifle, announced at DSA Malaysia 2017. It had partnered for the Indian Army’s battle rifle tender, which was eventually won by US-based Sig Sauer with its SIG-716i. Caracal employs former staff from notable firms such as Sig Sauer and Heckler & Koch; design influences are evident — the CAR-816 Sultan is often likened to the UAE’s HK-416.

Caracal had an early success when selected for a Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine tender with its CAR-816 Sultan, beating offers from Daewoo and Thales Australia; however, the contract was not awarded. The Army re-issued the CQB tender seeking an IDDM carbine, which Caracal did not win. That tender was later split between Bharat Forge and the Adani Group.

Both Caracal and Barrett/Hughes Precision are participating in a separate tender for 4,800 .338 sniper rifles (estimated cost: over ₹450 crore). An RFI published on 28 June 2024 seeks around 4,800 .338 rifles with telescopic sights under the “Buy Indian” category, plus 7.8 million rounds of ammunition.

These developments show Caracal is positioning itself as a supplier not only to the Army but to paramilitary forces as well. Hughes Precision’s entry into small arms and Barrett’s push via ‘Make in India’ are notable. It remains to be seen whether either will win the Army’s sniper-rifle contract and how they will fare against competitors such as Adani, Bharat Forge, Jindal Taurus, and SSS Defence.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.