As another major step towards improving the fighting skills of its army, the Indian Army has made a Request for Proposal (RFP) in July 2026 for buying 450 Carl Gustaf Mark-IV (M4) 84mm lightweight rocket launchers. This purchase will be in line with the country's strategy to upgrade the weapon systems used in the field and to provide soldiers with highly advanced technology that can meet the challenges of modern warfare.
Carl Gustaf M4 is the latest version of the famous Carl Gustaf range of recoilless weapons manufactured by Swedish defence firm Saab. Known for its high reliability, flexibility, and efficiency, the Carl Gustaf range of weapon systems has become a legend in the recent past. Used in more than 40 countries around the world, the Carl Gustaf weapon system has proved its mettle in conventional wars, counterinsurgency fights, urban battles, and even in mountainous regions.
Another distinguishing feature of the Carl Gustaf M4 is that it is very lightweight. Having a weight of about seven kilograms, the launcher is much lighter than previous models because of the wide use of highly advanced materials like titanium and carbon-fiber composites. In turn, this feature increases soldiers' mobility and makes it possible to move this weapon over a considerable distance without reducing combat efficiency. It is especially useful for the Indian Army where soldiers work at high altitudes, in deep forests, deserts, and other challenging border regions.
The Carl Gustaf M4 is a multi-role, shoulder-fired weapon system which is intended for the engagement of various targets on the battle field. In contrast to anti-tank launchers which can be used in one task only, the M4 can launch various types of ammunitions depending on the situation. There are anti-armour ammunition for tank and armored vehicle destruction, high-explosive ammunition for bunkers and fortifications, smoke rounds for camouflage, illumination rounds for night missions, and anti-structure ammunitions for urban combat.
In today's warfare, precision becomes just as important as firepower, and the Carl Gustaf M4 meets the need through its compatibility with modern sighting and fire control systems. It can be used with intelligent optical sights, which increase the chances for the first hit and help to use programmable rounds in the future. It has round counting, intelligent interfaces, and ergonomic enhancements, which make the system easier to maintain and operate. This reduces the training time and improves the performance on the battlefield.
The purchase of this weapon by India's army is related to ongoing efforts to modernize the infantry amid new threats. The Indian armed forces have to deal with different types of threats, starting with conventional military conflicts along the border and ending with anti-terrorist actions in the mountains. With such a highly maneuverable and multi-purpose weapon as Carl Gustaf M4, it becomes possible for the infantrymen to target different types of objectives without using heavy artillery.
The Request for Proposal for 450 launcher systems shows that the Army intends to equip some chosen formations of the Indian Army with modern weapon systems by progressively phasing out old weapon systems. India has a rich experience of using previous versions of the Carl Gustaf family of weapons, which will make the induction of the most recent version relatively easy. Operational experience along with training experience will assist in rapid induction and deployment once the purchase is done.
Apart from operational needs, the purchase also supports the modernization and self-reliance policies of India. During the last few years, India has been increasingly looking forward to making partnerships involving foreign technology along with domestic production through the "Make in India" policy.
The Request for Proposal issued in July 2026 goes beyond just a mere process of procurement. This highlights the dedication of the Indian Army to equip its troops with systems of warfare that are both modern and efficient. In today's world, where warfare involves the use of advanced technologies, the Carl Gustaf M4 system is a good fit for the demands of the current times. If the procurement happens as envisaged, it will go a long way in enhancing the ability of the Indian Army to combat any future situations.
Team Yuva Aaveg-
Adarsh Tiwari
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