Army floats proposal to buy 450 India-made Carl Gustaf Mk IV rocket launchers

The Indian Army has initiated the procurement process for 450 indigenous Carl Gustaf Mk IV multi-role rocket launchers, issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Buy (Indian) category as part of its ongoing infantry modernisation programme.

The procurement includes the launchers along with associated accessories, spares, technical documentation, training support and maintenance requirements. The move is aimed at replacing older shoulder-fired support weapons with a lighter, more versatile system capable of operating across a range of environments, including high-altitude regions, deserts, forests and urban terrain.

The Carl Gustaf Mk IV is the latest version of Saab's widely used 84 mm recoilless weapon system. Weighing approximately 6.6-7 kg, excluding sights and accessories, it is significantly lighter than earlier variants, improving mobility for infantry soldiers without compromising battlefield effectiveness.

Designed as a multi-role weapon rather than a dedicated anti-tank system, the Mk IV can fire a variety of 84 mm ammunition already in service with the Indian Army, as well as future compatible rounds. Depending on the ammunition used, it can engage armoured vehicles, bunkers, fortified positions, buildings, enemy firing points and troop concentrations. It is also capable of firing smoke and illumination rounds for battlefield support.

According to the RFP, the new launchers must match or exceed the accuracy and reliability of the Army's existing Carl Gustaf Mk III systems. The Army has specified a minimum barrel life of 1,500 rounds or 15 years, with reliable performance in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to +50 degrees Celsius and under dusty, humid and other extreme climatic conditions encountered across the country.

The weapon is also required to be compatible with modern sighting systems, including digital fire-control devices and red-dot sights, to improve target acquisition and first-round hit probability. Additional requirements include a digital shot counter, Picatinny rails for mission-specific accessories, improved shoulder support and enhanced ergonomics to reduce soldier fatigue and simplify maintenance.

The Army has further mandated compatibility with its existing inventory of 84 mm ammunition, allowing seamless integration into current logistics while retaining the flexibility to adopt future ammunition upgrades.

Defence sources told India Today TV that the launchers are expected to be manufactured in India at Saab's upcoming facility in Jhajjar in Haryana. The plant is set to become the first production site for the Carl Gustaf system outside Sweden and is expected to manufacture both complete launchers and key components.

The facility is expected to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing while ensuring long-term availability of spares, maintenance support and ammunition.

The procurement is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Army's infantry firepower while advancing the government's broader objective of expanding domestic production of advanced military equipment under the Make in India initiative.

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