Indian Army has received the first batch of Negev Light Machine Guns (LMG) from Israel as it seeks to boost the firepower of frontline troops.

Last year, India’s Defence Ministry signed an Rs8.8bn ($120.57m) capital acquisition contract with Israel Weapons Industries to procure 16,479 LMGs under the Fast Track Procedure.

In the first batch, 6,000 guns were delivered, while the remaining units are expected to be supplied by March.

The weapons are currently undergoing inspections, according to local media sources.

The Negev 7.62X51mm LMG is a combat-proven weapon system and is used by several countries. The LMG has a higher range, as well as greater lethality compared to the currently used weapons system by the Indian Armed Forces.

The LMG was needed to meet urgent operational requirements.

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Notably, India has been engaged in a border standoff with Chinese forces in the Ladakh region since May. Recently, the two sides held the ninth round of talks to resolve the impasse.

The military face-off has accelerated defence acquisitions and development in India.

Recently, India unveiled the locally developed machine pistol ASMI for the defence forces. The weapon is in Israel’s class of the Uzi series guns and has a range of around 100m.

This pistol is expected to replace the 9mm pistols currently used by the armed forces.

The defence forces have also completed the final phase of user trials of the locally developed 5.56×30mm protective carbine clearing its induction into the services.