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Guided, portable anti-tank weapons have become a ubiquitous feature of the modern battlefield, but there’s still a role for good old fashioned panzerfaust rockets. For a soldier who needs to take out light vehicles at close range, blast enemy strongpoints, etc., these systems offer all the capability you can ask for, without all of the extra weight and cost. Less weight means more rounds carried, and less cost translates into more rounds bought. Taken together, they ensure more available firepower when it’s needed most. During 1989 operations in Panama, for instance, the 66mm LAW rocket was used so often as a building entry weapon that it was known as the “Ranger Key.”
Saab’s Carl Gustaf system and its range of 84mm rocket shells have become popular all over the world, with over 40 customers. Australia became one in 2009, and has continued to place orders associated with their LAND 40, Phase 2 project. Their system also has one particular twist…
Updates
April 12/19: M4 for Australia The Australian Army ordered more Carl-Gustaf ammunition from Saab for $18.1 million. The Carl-Gustaf system is a multi-role, man-portable artillery system that allows the infantryman to defeat armored vehicles with add-on armor protection, destroy landing craft and bunkers, blast breach holes through brick and concrete walls, knock out concealed troops, and deploy a smoke screen. The Australian Army has ordered the newest version of the system – Carl-Gustaf M4. The CGM4 features a lightweight, flexible design incorporating titanium-made components and improved carbon fiber wrapping. The recoilless rifle offers enhanced agility and tactical flexibility, allowing military forces to engage multiple tactical targets. Already in September 2018, the Army ordered the Carl-Gustaf M4 from Saab. Deliveries are expected to take place next year.
January 5/17: An unnamed customer has contracted Saab to deliver $36 million worth of M3 and M4 variants of the portable Carl Gustaf weapon system. The shoulder-fired multi-role weapon affords operators the option to choose between a variety of ammunitions while remaining light weight. Over 40 governments operate the system.
April 27/12: Saab announces a SEK 199 million (USD conversion: $29.6 million) order from Australia for more 84mm Carl Gustaf ammunition, under a standing order laced in early 2011. Deliveries will take place during 2013.
Nov 10/11: Saab announces a SEK 160 million (USD conversion: $24.2 million) contract for more 84mm Carl Gustaf ammunition, under a standing order laced in early 2011. Deliveries will take place over the next 6 months.
Nov. – Dec. 2009: Australia signs a contract with SAAB Bofors Dynamics for 437 M3 Carl Gustaf weapons, followed by a December 2009 contract with BAE Systems Australia for 437 Heavy Weapon Thermal Sights. Australia is the 1st country to use both the weapon and sight as an integrated system, which works equally way by day or by night.
Roll-out to entitled units completed in October 2011. Australia DMO. Note that Saab announced a SEK 192 million (USD conversion: $26.8 million) pair of contracts in December 2009 for Carl Gustaf weapons, but would not specify the customer at the customer’s own request. It may or may not have been Australia; Australia’s DoD did not announce the award at the time.
