Australia Orders New M4 Carl Gustaf
The Australian Army has ordered Saab’s Garl Gustaf M4 multi-role weapon system. In a press release Saab confirmed that they had received an order for the latest iteration of their iconic recoilless rifle. Saab introduced the M4 back in 2014, with six nations currently using the system.
The order was made by the Australian Army’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group with deliveries of the new M4s slated to take place in 2020. The 84mm man-portable, reusable, recoilless anti-tank weapon is manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics, a subsidiary of the Saab Group. The Australian Army already uses the previous Carl Gustaf M3, describing it as ‘highly accurate and versatile’.
Here’s Saab’s press release in full:
The new version retains all the effectiveness and versatility of the proven Carl-Gustaf system while introducing a range of major enhancements. These include a lighter weight design (weighing less than 7 kg), a round counter, improved safety and intelligent features, such as compatibility with future intelligent sighting systems and programmable ammunition, which collectively offer significant operational improvements for the soldier. The weapon is fully backward compatible with all ammunition types.
“With the introduction of the M4 version the Australian Army will have a weapon with the latest technology and improved ergonomics providing an increased tactical flexibility to deal with most situations on the battlefield”, says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab business area Dynamics.
The Carl-Gustaf has seen extensive operational service with the Australian Army and moving to the M4 weapon represents the continued modernisation of this important lethality system.
Saab’s world-leading Carl-Gustaf weapon system has a long and distinguished service history all around the world. Saab has worked closely with our global customers to successively modernise and enhance the weapon system to meet their changing requirements.
The news of the Australian order comes as a number of militaries around the world take a fresh look at the M4. The British Army is believed to be considering its adoption and deployment at platoon level. The US Army currently fields the Carl Gustaf with its Army’s infantry brigade combat teams but is also considering issue at the platoon level.