Today’s warfare is rapid, chaotic, and merciless—often, victory depends on a combination of flexibility, accuracy, and sheer firepower. Few weapons have been able to remain effective for decades of shifting combat concepts as has the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle. Its latest iteration, the M4, combines decades of tried-and-tested reliability with contemporary upgrades, and it is one of the most versatile anti-tank and multi-role systems in current use.
From Post-War Experiment to Global Favorite
The Carl-Gustaf’s history goes back to 1948, when Swedish engineers aimed to design something better than the WWII Panzerschreck and bazooka. The outcome was an 84mm recoilless rifle to destroy tanks and bunkered positions.
Over time, the gun was improved—M1 and M2 saw incremental upgrades, but the M3 sacrificed weight with carbon fiber and aluminum. Yet the M4 saw a revolution, turning it into a whole lot more than an anti-tank weapon.
Lighter, Faster, Soldier-Friendly
Tip the scales at less than 7 kilograms and a length of less than a meter, the M4 is designed for mobility. Saab’s utilization of titanium and carbon fiber makes it simple to transport in congested urban roads or over vast expanses of open ground. Ergonomics were top-of-mind features—elements such as an adjustable shoulder rest, forward grip, and even a built-in shot counter illustrate the extent to which attention was focused on soldier-friendliness.
Adding Brains to the Brawn
The M4 is not merely a matter of pure firepower—it’s intelligent, too. It can be equipped with anything from simple scopes to sophisticated fire-control systems such as the FCD 558. Due to Saab’s Firebolt protocol, the weapon and ammunition “communicate” with each other, exchanging information such as the type of ammo and temperature to allow real-time ballistic compensation. The result? Improved first-shot hit probability and less for the mind.
Ammunition for Every Mission
Part of why Carl-Gustaf is still invaluable is that it has an enormous amount of ammunition. The 84mm family encompasses everything from bunker-busting and anti-tank rounds to smoke, illumination, and airburst rounds. The new HE 448 warhead employs tungsten pellets for increased armor penetration, the HEAT 655 CS can be fired in tight spaces without harm, and the HEAT 751 tandem warhead penetrates reactive armor. Saab and Raytheon have also tested a laser-guided round able to strike moving targets at a distance of 2 km.
Combat-Proven
The M4’s reputation isn’t hype—it’s real. In Ukraine, it’s been used to blow up Russian T-90M tanks, allegedly giving it the nickname “Slayer of Russian tanks.” The British Army has returned it to service to augment systems shipped off to Ukraine, complimenting it on its adaptability. In America, it’s the M3A1 Multi-purpose Anti-Armor Anti-personnel Weapon System for the Army and Marines.
Training for the Future
To train soldiers without exhausting budgets on live rounds, Saab created a sophisticated simulator that simulates recoil and ballistic behavior. It provides real-time feedback on accuracy, damage, and reaction time, honing both marksmanship and decision-making.
A Truly Global Player
Over 40 nations employ the Carl-Gustaf today, such as Australia, Japan, Poland, and the Baltic nations. Saab has even established local production in some areas to fulfill demand. Even better, the M4 is also compatible with the older ammunition, enabling armies to take it up without discarding current stockpiles.
Constructed for the Next Ten Years and Beyond
Saab’s plans to develop the Carl-Gustaf extend beyond 2030, to make it lighter, smarter, and more lethal. Future configurations will be tasked with defeating everything from drones to defended urban strongpoints.
The M4 demonstrates that if appropriately upgraded, even a gun whose ancestry dates back to the 1940s can be a force to be reckoned with on today’s—and tomorrow’s—battlefields.
More related images you may be interested in:
