The Australian Army will receive additional Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons. (Photo: Saab)
The Australian Department of Defence has ordered additional Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless anti-tank rifles in a deal worth A$56 million ($37.44 million) with deliveries expected in 2024-2025. The weapons will be fitted with Saab’s new Fire Control Device, FCD 558.
Saab Australia managing director, Andy Keough, said the deal reinforces 'Saab’s support for the ADF from these advanced weapons through to ground-based air defence solutions, battle management systems and world-leading deployable health and infrastructure services'.
'This order continues Saab’s longstanding relationship with the Australian Defence Force.'
The Carl-Gustaf system is supplied to more than 40 countries around the world including the US.
In September 2018, the Australian Army placed an order for an undisclosed number of Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems to be delivered in 2020. This US$18 million contract was signed in April 2019.
The UK also recently ordered Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles worth nearly £5 million ($6.3 million) from Saab to replenish munitions gifted to Ukraine. The deal includes weapon systems, sights, ammunition and training.
The armoured vehicles are fitted with 12.7mm heavy machine guns and came off the production line with specific Estonian requirements. Only the communications subsystems and some other minor equipment were added to vehicles in Estonia.
The newly disclosed Thales UK Vehicle Mounted SquadNet Radio (VMSR) offers full interoperability with the soldier radio variant to provide secure and reliable voice connection.
Full electrification of their land and air vehicles may be beyond modern militaries for now. But how close are they to the tipping point of the widespread use of electric vehicles?
The contract follows news released in 2023 that a first customer had taken into service Pearson Engineering’s new Slice system enabling the interoperability of Front-End Equipment (FEE) between main battle tanks and dedicated engineering vehicles.
When compared to some other wheeled artillery systems Archer has the advantage of quicker deployment and relocation as the complete fire mission is carried out without the crew leaving the protected cab at the front.
The system had been previously proven to work against rotary and fixed-wing kamikaze drones, with Aselsan now working on new capabilities for Gökberk to counter UAV swarms.
Connect with us on socials
