Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 India: Swedish defence company Saab will set up a manufacturing facility for the shoulder launched weapon system Carl-Gustaf in India, the company announced on Tuesday. Production in the new facility is expected to start in 2024 that will further strengthen Saab India’s manufacturing base in the country.
The facility will support the production of the Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian Armed Forces as well as components for users of the system around the world, said the company.
The new company Saab FFV India, which is currently under registration, will make the latest generation of the state-of-the-art weapon in India. Saab will also be partnering with Indian sub-suppliers and the systems manufactured in the facility will fully meet the requirements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship scheme Make in India which is aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imports in critical sectors, including defence.
Saab FFV India will deploy complex technologies including the latest sighting technology and apply advanced manufacturing techniques like carbon fibre winding for the Carl-Gustaf system including the latest M4 weapon.
Indian Army soldiers training with Carl Gustaf M4 system.
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“It is a natural step to set up a production facility for Carl-Gustaf M4 in India given the long and close association we have with the Indian Army as one of the foremost users of the system,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
Görgen Johansson said the company was happy to contribute to the Government of India’s goals of developing a world class defence industry and proud to offer the Indian Armed Forces the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system that has been manufactured in the country.
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Over the years Saab have partnered with Indian companies to make parts or components for Saab’s products on the global market.
The company views the current project as a symbol of its commitment to Make in India.
Saab said it would continue its partnership with Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) to manufacture the Carl-Gustaf weapon and its ammunition.
Saab’s Carl Gustaf M4 weapon system.
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The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since the first cooperation agreement for production in India was signed 1976.
Through its wide variety of ammunition, Carl-Gustaf has established itself as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian Armed Forces.
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