Indian Army issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in July 2026 for the procurement of 450 Carl Gustaf Mark-IV (M4) 84 mm lightweight rocket launchers

¨     Indian Army issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in July 2026 for the procurement of 450 Carl Gustaf Mark-IV (M4) 84 mm lightweight rocket launchers.

¨     The Carl Gustaf M4 is a shoulder-fired, multi-role recoilless weapon system designed for infantry operations, anti-armour missions, bunker neutralisation, and other battlefield roles.

¨     The Carl Gustaf weapon system has been developed by Saab, Sweden.

¨     The Indian Army has been using the M2 and M3 variants since the 1970s.

¨     The M4 is the latest and most advanced version in the Carl Gustaf family.

Weight of different variants:

¨     Carl Gustaf M2: Approximately 14 kg

¨     Carl Gustaf M3: Approximately 10 kg

¨     Carl Gustaf M4: Less than 7 kg

The lighter weight enhances mobility, portability, and combat effectiveness for infantry troops.The Carl Gustaf M4 will be manufactured in India at Saab's production facility in Reliance MET City, Jhajjar, Haryana.Saab has received approval for 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for this facility.It is regarded as India's first fully foreign-owned defence manufacturing unit.Construction of the plant began in March 2024, and production was planned to commence in 2024.The launcher is capable of operating in temperatures ranging from –20°C to +50°C.This makes it suitable for deployment in high-altitude Himalayan regions as well as the deserts of Rajasthan.Under the RFP, deliveries are required to begin within 12 months of signing the contract.The contract also includes 15 years of product support and a 24-month warranty.The procurement will significantly enhance the Indian Army's infantry firepower, anti-armour capability, and overall operational readiness.It also supports the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and advanced defence technology production in India.