Swedish defence major Saab has started the construction of its new manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 anti-tank weapon system in India on Monday in Haryana’s Jhajjar. Expressing pride in this milestone, Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, stated, “I am proud to start constructing our first facility outside Sweden for Carl-Gustaf, a product that has a long history with the Indian Armed Forces. We look forward to starting production of our excellent product, now engineered and made in India.” After the green light for 100% foreign direct investment (FDI), Saab has formed a new entity, Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd, which will fully own the new manufacturing facility in India.
“Today is an important milestone for Sweden and India. Saab’s factory will be India’s first fully-owned foreign defence production facility. It is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between our countries,” Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Sweden, said after attending the stone-laying ceremony.
According to the plan, Saab aims to start production sometime in 2025 from its new facility located at the MET City in Jhajjar, spread over 3.5 acres. As per the company’s statement, the state boasts a robust industrial foundation, offering excellent potential partnerships and a skilled workforce.
Saab is set to collaborate with Indian suppliers, ensuring full compliance with the “Make in India” initiative for the systems produced at the facility. The new factory will utilize sophisticated technologies, including cutting-edge sighting technology and advanced carbon fibre winding, to produce the Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian armed forces. Additionally, the facility will manufacture components that may be integrated into systems for other users. The export process initially involves shipping them to Sweden and subsequently to other customers. This export process will be aligned with India’s export policy, governed by the end-user agreement.
Notably, Saab has already delivered a limited number of the M4 version to the Indian Army. India is one of the Swedish company’s valuable clients, supplying the anti-tank weapon system to approximately 40-50 countries. The M4 version, sought after by over 20 countries, represents a noteworthy advancement over the M3. This upgraded model features specialised ammunition, Picatinny rails for versatile sight attachments, and adjustable grips to accommodate varying soldier heights. Moreover, it boasts a 30% reduction in weight, achieved by incorporating titanium linings instead of steel. The Carl-Gustaf system has been a part of the Indian Army’s arsenal since 1976.
Ravi Shankar
