Following evaluation, the target introduction into service date for the Carl-Gustaf M4 with the Australian Army is 1 July 2021. The Australian Army commenced operational test and evaluation of the manportable 84 mm Carl-Gustaf M4 reloadable recoilless rifle at the Army’s School of Infantry in Singleton, New South Wales, in early May. The new version retains all the effectiveness and versatility of the Carl-Gustaf system while introducing a range of major enhancements. The M4 is the intended replacement for the army’s in-service M3 variant as it reaches its 10 year lifespan.
Saab has received an order from the Australian Army for deliveries of the new Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-role weapon system. This is Saab’s sixth customer for the Carl-Gustaf M4 system since its launch in late 2014. Deliveries will take place during 2020. These include a lighter weight design (weighing less than seven kilograms), 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 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. A marked evolution in the history of the system, the new M4 model meets the needs of modern conflict environments while offering compatibility with future innovations. The Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system is an advanced derivative of the Carl-Gustaf M3 shoulder-fired recoilless weapon. Saab and Raytheon developed a laser-guided Carl-Gustaf munition for the Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifle.
The Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle is an 84-mm man-portable reusable anti-tank weapon originally produced by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori (that later was merged into Saab Bofors Dynamics) in Sweden. Developed in 1946, it was one of the many recoilless rifle designs of that era. While similar weapons have generally disappeared from service, the Carl-Gustaf is still in production and remains in widespread use today. The Carl-Gustaf is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles.
