NB BUREAU
Swedish defence major Saab on Tuesday announced that it will set up a manufacturing facility in India for production of its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems.
It will be the company’s first manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 outside Sweden.
The production of the shoulder-fired weapons having a range of 1,500 metres will start in 2024, said Gorgen Johansson, Saab’s senior vice president.
The Carl-Gustaf M4 is a recoilless rifle which has been ordered by the Indian armed forces.
The new facility will support its production as well as components for users of the system around the world, the company said in a statement.
“We haven’t done this in any other country,” Johansson said.
There’s been an increased interest in the weapon system, which can be used against tanks, since the conflict in Ukraine.
“More countries will seek anti-tank capabilities going forward,” Mr. Johansson said.
Earlier this year, Saab said it would boost capacity to meet rising demand.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, has prompted many countries, including Saab’s home market Sweden, to boost defence budgets.
(With media inputs)
