The Indian Army has begun fielding the Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifle.
The deployment follows the establishment of a new production facility in India by Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd, a fully foreign-owned subsidiary of Saab AB.
According to images circulating from recent Indian Army exercises, troops have been observed operating the Carl-Gustaf M4 84mm system, with assistant gunners carrying two 751-series extended-range anti-armor rounds.
The M4 represents a substantial upgrade over older Carl-Gustaf models previously in Indian service, offering reduced weight, shorter length, and improved targeting systems.
#IndianArmy Carl Gustaf team with new CG M4 & HEAT 751 (tandem High-Explosive Anti-Tank) ammunition. pic.twitter.com/xfHQ7TO4rH
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) May 20, 2025
In 2024, after receiving approval for 100% foreign direct investment, Saab established its new production entity in India, aimed at building Carl-Gustaf M4 systems domestically. The company broke ground on the new facility on March 4, 2024, marking the beginning of local manufacturing of the M4 variant with full technology transfer.
The M4 is engineered with advanced fire control and lightweight materials, including carbon fiber reinforcement, allowing greater mobility and faster response in infantry operations. It supports a range of munitions including anti-armor, anti-structure, and illumination rounds.
India’s adoption of the latest model aligns with its broader effort to modernize infantry weaponry while encouraging local defense manufacturing under the “Make in India” policy.
While the Indian Army has long operated older variants of the Carl-Gustaf system, the M4’s deployment brings a higher level of versatility and lethality to its infantry units.