Indian Army plans to induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 rocket launchers: What makes the weapon so effective?

Weighing under 7 kg but capable of targeting armour and bunkers, the Carl Gustaf M4 could transform Indian infantry firepower. What makes the Army’s planned 450 launchers so versatile?

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 12 July 2026, 8:40 AM IST

Indian Army to induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 rocket launchers (Img: Dynamite News)

New Delhi: The Indian Army is planning to procure 450 Carl Gustaf M4 shoulder-fired rocket launchers as part of its ongoing effort to modernise infantry units and strengthen their ability to operate across difficult terrain.

Developed by Swedish defence company Saab, the 84mm multi-role weapon is significantly lighter than the older Carl Gustaf variants already used by the Army. The M4 weighs less than seven kilograms and is under one metre long, allowing soldiers to carry and deploy it more easily during fast-moving operations.

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Designed for Mountains and Extreme Weather

The new launchers are expected to enhance the firepower of troops deployed in mountainous areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to reports, the system can function in temperatures ranging from around minus 20 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for both Himalayan conditions and the deserts of Rajasthan.

The weapon can accurately engage certain targets at ranges of up to 1,000 metres, depending on the ammunition being used.

One Launcher, Multiple Types of Ammunition

A major advantage of the Carl Gustaf M4 is its ability to fire different rounds for different battlefield requirements. Its ammunition portfolio includes anti-tank rounds, high-explosive dual-purpose ammunition, smoke shells, illumination rounds and training ammunition.

Anti-tank rounds can be used against armoured vehicles, while HEDP ammunition is designed to strike lightly protected vehicles, buildings and field fortifications. Smoke rounds can conceal troop movements, while illumination ammunition supports night operations.

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Long Association with Indian Army

The Indian Army has operated Carl Gustaf systems since the 1970s, with the older M2 and M3 variants becoming important infantry support weapons.

The M4 is also linked to India’s defence-manufacturing push. Saab established its Carl Gustaf production facility at Jhajjar in Haryana, its first such manufacturing plant outside Sweden and the first fully foreign-owned defence-production facility in India. It is intended to support Indian requirements as well as exports.