In a monumental step towards bolstering India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, the Carl Gustaf M4, a versatile recoilless rocket system widely used by infantry units, is set to be manufactured within the country.
The manufacturing facility, to be established in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence production.
The initiative comes as Saab, a renowned Sweden-based defence company, received approval for 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the Indian government.
Under the banner of Saab FFVO India Private Limited, the company will spearhead the production of the Carl Gustaf M4 system, a move hailed as a ground breaking achievement in bilateral cooperation between India and Sweden.
Expressing pride in the venture, Gorgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, remarked, “I am proud to start constructing our first facility outside Sweden for Carl-Gustaf, a product with a long history with the Indian Armed Forces.
We look forward to starting production of our excellent product, now engineered and made in India.”
The establishment of Saab’s factory in India marks a historic moment, as highlighted by Hakan Jevrell, State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Sweden, who stated, “Today is an important milestone for Sweden and India.
Saab’s factory will be the first foreign fully-owned defence production facility in India. It is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between our countries.”
The Carl Gustaf rocket system has been an integral part of the Indian Army’s arsenal since 1976 and has played a crucial role in numerous counter-terrorism and insurgency operations.
Known for its portability, versatility, and effectiveness in urban combat scenarios, the Carl Gustaf M4 variant represents the latest evolution of this indispensable weapon system.
Saab has affirmed its commitment to fully comply with India’s “Make in India” initiative by partnering with Indian suppliers and ensuring that all systems manufactured at the facility meet the stringent requirements of domestic production.
The company plans to deploy cutting-edge technologies, including advanced sighting technology and carbon fibre-winding techniques, to manufacture the Carl Gustaf M4 rockets and associated components.
The establishment of the manufacturing facility aligns closely with the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to enhance India’s defence capabilities through robust domestic infrastructure and strategic partnerships with global defence majors.
By fostering public-private participation, the initiative seeks to propel India towards self-reliance in defence production and reduce dependency on imports.
The introduction of the Carl Gustaf M4 manufacturing facility in India signifies a major leap forward in the nation’s quest for defence self-reliance, paving the way for enhanced capabilities and indigenous innovation in the defence sector.
