The Indian Army plans to induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 variants of the battle-tested 84 mm shoulder-fired rocket launcher as part of its modernisation drive, reports TOI. Designed by Swedish defence firm Saab, the lighter weapon is expected to enhance infantry firepower and operational effectiveness, particularly for troops deployed in the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Carl Gustaf M4 weighs less than seven kilograms, making it significantly lighter than the earlier M2 and M3 variants, which weighed 14 kg and 10 kg respectively. The launcher can accurately engage targets at distances of up to 1,000 metres, improving mobility and combat capability in demanding terrain.

Carl Gustaf M4 capabilities

The Carl Gustaf M4 is designed to operate in extreme weather conditions. According to the Request for Proposal (RFP), the launcher is effective in temperatures ranging from 50°C to minus 20°C, allowing deployment from the deserts of Rajasthan to the Himalayan frontier.

Its reduced weight, extended range and ability to function across diverse climatic conditions are expected to improve the Army's operational flexibility in different combat environments.

Carl Gustaf M4 ammunition: Anti-tank, HEDP, smoke and illumination rounds

The launcher can fire a wide range of ammunition manufactured domestically by Munitions India Limited. The ammunition is broadly classified into lethal and non-lethal categories, enabling the system to engage targets ranging from exposed personnel to main battle tanks.

The non-lethal ammunition includes a target practice tracer round for training, a smoke round to conceal troop movement and obstruct enemy observation, and an illumination round for battlefield lighting during night operations.

Among the lethal options, the High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) round can penetrate lightly armoured vehicles and field fortifications while producing fragmentation for anti-personnel use. The anti-tank round is specifically designed to defeat armoured targets, providing infantry units with a dedicated capability against enemy armour.

Army has operated Carl Gustaf rocket launchers since the 1970s

The Army's association with the Carl Gustaf system dates back to the mid-1970s. The first supplies arrived in 1974, followed by a cooperation agreement in 1976 that enabled local production of earlier variants, according to the manufacturer. Since then, the M2 and later the M3 versions have become an integral part of the Army's infantry firepower in both conventional and counter-insurgency operations.

Saab manufactures Carl Gustaf M4 in Haryana

The Carl Gustaf M4 is now being manufactured at Saab's facility in Jhajjar district of Haryana. Established under India's liberalised defence investment policy, the plant is the country's first fully foreign-owned defence manufacturing unit and is intended to produce the weapon for both domestic requirements and export markets.

(With inputs from TOI)