NATO procurement agency orders Carl-Gustaf multi-role weapon system
The Carl-Gustaf M4 has been in service with European countries, as well as Australia and the US. (Photo: Saab)
In September 2015, Saab announced Slovakia had become the launch customer for the M4 and the first weapons were delivered in July 2017. The US Army has ordered systems having conducted a foreign comparative test of the M4 for US Special Operations Command and the US Army.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has placed a €60 million (US$65 million) order with Saab for Carl-Gustaf man-portable multi-role weapon systems for use with four of the organisation’s member countries.
The contract was placed as part of a framework agreement between Saab and the NSPA regarding Carl-Gustaf, including ammunition and equipment, with the contract expected to be fulfilled by the end of 2027.
Saab describes the new M4 as “lighter, better and faster” than the previous M3. The M4 weighs under 7kg and measures less than 1m, while the M3 weighs 10kg and is 1.06m long. It is mostly used as an anti-tank or anti-structure weapon.
Several orders have been placed for Carl-Gustaf weapon systems, ammunition and equipment in the past few years, some of which has been in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Poland became the latest operator of the system when it was announced earlier this month that it had placed a SEK12.9 billion (US$1.2 billion) with manufacturer Saab.
Canada donated Carl-Gustaf M2 systems to Ukraine as part of a large package of support, including Leopard tanks and ammunition, for the east European country and has been looking at how it is going to replace this drawdown in stocks and equipment.
Last year the US placed a $105 million order for Carl-Gustaf systems and in July last year Australia placed a $37.4 million order. In 2022, Lithuania placed an order and in 2021 Estonia began to receive systems.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
