Swedish defence firm SAAB announced to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon in India

Tags: National Defence National News

Swedish defence firm Saab on 28 September announced its plan to set up a manufacturing facility in India for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system under the NDA government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to bolster indigenous defence manufacturing.

Important facts

• Production at the new facility is expected to begin in 2024, with the name of the production site yet to be disclosed.

• Manufacturing will be carried out by Saab FFV India Pvt Ltd, a new subsidiary wholly owned by SAAB.

• This will be the company's first manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 outside Sweden.

• The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was manufacturing the Carl-Gustaf M3 with a range of up to 1,200 metres under a tie-up with Saab.

• Saab will continue its partnership with Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) for the manufacture of Carl-Gustaf arms and its ammunition.

About Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems

• Carl-Gustaf M4 is a shoulder-fired weapon system with a range of 1,500 metre.

• It weighs less than seven kilos and is under one metre in length. 

• It helps soldiers with a multitude of missions they may have to accomplish on the battlefield.

• This weapon system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976, and its earlier M2 and M3 variants have been produced in India.