Saab AB received its first order for the new Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-launched weapon system from the armed forces of the Slovak Republic, the company said Wednesday.
The M4 is the latest version of this man-portable recoilless rifle. It was debuted in late 2014, having a lighter weight design of about 7 kg and providing “significant mobility improvements to the soldier,” Saab said.
photo: Saab
While Slovakia is becoming the launch customer for the M4 system, it has also been acquired by two other undisclosed countries for evaluation, qualification purposes, Saab said.
“This is a great milestone for Saab and the Carl-Gustaf system. I am very proud to announce that Slovakia is the first country to implement the Carl-Gustaf M4 in its armed forces. For Saab and for business area Dynamics this is further proof of our ability to offer world-leading solutions to our customers,” Görgen Johansson, head of the Dynamics Saab business area, said in a statement.
“Slovakia now has a system that will further increase its defense capabilities. Since the launch of the system, we have seen a tremendous interest in the market and we look forward to taking further orders from more countries,” Magnus Lewis-Olsson, the head of the Saab market area of Europe, Middle East and Africa, added.
The company highlighted the M4 is compatible with future battlefield technology developments including intelligent sighting systems and programmable ammunition.
Carl-Gustaf M4 deliveries are expected to occur during 2016.