UAE-based small arms manufacturer CARACAL has teamed up with India’s ICOMM Tele Ltd to open a new weapons manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. The plant is located at ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility and will produce a range of advanced small arms for local and global use.
This joint venture includes a significant technology transfer from CARACAL to ICOMM, allowing for domestic production of several weapon models. The facility is expected to support India’s defense sector and deepen military cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and India.
According to an official statement, the Hyderabad plant will manufacture key CARACAL products. These include the CAR 816 close-quarters battle rifle (5.56x45mm), CAR 817 assault rifle (7.62x51mm), CSR 338 sniper rifle (.338 Lapua Magnum), CSR 308 sniper rifle (.308 Winchester), CSR 50 anti-materiel sniper rifle (12.7x99mm), CMP9 submachine gun (9x19mm), and two models of pistols—CARACAL EF and CARACAL F GEN II (both 9x19mm).
The weapons will serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, Special Forces, State Police Forces, and the Special Protection Group. They will also help meet CARACAL’s international export demands.
Sumanth Paturu, Managing Director of ICOMM Tele Ltd, said the facility shows the company’s commitment to India’s security forces. “This project supports the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he stated.
Hamad Alameri, CEO of CARACAL, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “This is the first time small arms technology is being transferred from the UAE to India,” he said. “It supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative and our commitment to long-term cooperation.”
CARACAL, based in Abu Dhabi, was founded in 2007. It designs, builds, and tests firearms such as pistols, submachine guns, rifles, and sniper weapons. The company is part of the EDGE Group, a major UAE defense organization. CARACAL products are used by military and police units around the world.
ICOMM Tele Ltd, a subsidiary of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), is a major Indian firm in the defense and infrastructure sectors. Founded in 1989, the company operates a large facility in Hyderabad, spanning over 1 million square feet. ICOMM develops advanced systems in missiles, communication, electronic warfare, radars, electro-optics, loitering munitions, and drone technologies.
This collaboration marks a major step forward in defense manufacturing and strengthens the strategic relationship between India and the UAE.
