Australia orders additional Carl-Gustaf M4 rifles

The Australian DoD has ordered an additional batch of an unknown number of Saab's Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles with FCD 558 fire-control systems. (Saab)

Saab has received an order worth AUD56 million (USD37.2 million) from the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) to supply additional Carl-Gustaf M4 84 mm recoilless rifles, the Swedish company said on 4 July.

Without disclosing the number of M4s to be delivered, Saab said the additional batch of rifles will be equipped with FCD 558 fire-control systems (FCSs). Deliveries are scheduled in 2024–25.

Saab received an initial order from the Australian DoD in August 2018, worth AUD10.6 million, to supply 217 M4s. The DoD also contracted Saab in April 2019 to supply undisclosed Carl-Gustaf ammunition types for AUD26.3 million.

According to Saab, an unknown number of M4s were delivered to the Australian Army in January 2021 to commence technical certification, with the remaining units intended “for delivery over the next five years”. The Australian Army commenced operational testing and evaluation of the M4s in May 2021 with the aim to induct the rifles from July 2021.

Australia is procuring M4s under the Lethality System Project (Land 159), a three-tranche acquisition programme that aims to equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with next-generation weapon systems, surveillance and target acquisitions ancillaries, and ammunitions.

At the time of publication Saab had not responded to Janes request for comment on the number and specifications of rifles to be supplied to Australia in the additional batch.

According to Janes Weapons: Infantry, the Carl-Gustaf M4 is an 84 mm, shoulder-fired, manportable, breech-loaded recoilless rifle. The M4 is a further development of the M3 model, featuring lighter weight, greater ergonomics, and reduced overall dimensions.