Canadian Army modernizes infantry anti-tank capabilities with New SAAB Carl-Gustaf M4.

On May 27, 2025, Swedish Company SAAB announced that the Canadian government has signed a contract to procure the Swedish-made SAAB Carl-Gustaf M4 man-portable anti-tank weapon system, along with Saab’s advanced Fire Control Device (FCD) 558. This contract marks a major step forward in the Canadian Army’s broader initiative to modernize its dismounted anti-armor capabilities and strengthen its ability to respond to evolving battlefield threats. The agreement further reinforces the long-standing defense cooperation between Canada and Saab, and confirms Canada's alignment with NATO forces already equipped with the Carl-Gustaf system.
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Canadian Armed Forces enhance anti-tank capabilities with the new Swedish-made SAAB Carl Gustaf M4 portable anti-tank weapon system, featuring advanced fire control technology and support for programmable ammunition as part of the latest modernization initiative.  (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

The Carl-Gustaf M4, a lightweight 84mm recoilless rifle, represents the latest evolution in Saab’s iconic multi-role weapon family. Compared to its M2 and M3 predecessors, the M4 offers a significant weight reduction, improved ergonomics, and integrated electronic architecture. These advancements enable the use of programmable ammunition and support next-generation targeting solutions, including the FCD 558, which improves accuracy through real-time ballistic calculations and sensor-based environmental readings. The M4 is designed to defeat a wide array of threats ranging from armored vehicles and concrete fortifications to infantry in cover, making it an indispensable asset for modern infantry operations.

The Carl-Gustaf M4 is the most advanced variant in the Carl-Gustaf weapon family, designed with extensive feedback from global military users. Weighing less than 7 kg, the M4 significantly enhances soldier mobility without compromising firepower. It supports a wide range of ammunition types, including high explosive, anti-structure, illumination, smoke, and tandem-charge rounds, providing unmatched versatility in the field. Its advanced interface allows integration with intelligent sighting systems and programmable rounds, while also being backward compatible with legacy munitions. The M4’s short length and ergonomic design make it ideal for urban warfare, special operations, and conventional infantry roles, ensuring high performance across diverse operational environments.

In terms of technical enhancements over previous variants, the M4 introduces several critical upgrades. The weapon is constructed using modern materials, including titanium and carbon fiber components, which reduce overall weight by nearly 3 kg compared to the M3. The M4 also incorporates a round counter system that tracks the number of fired shots for improved maintenance management. Furthermore, the addition of a picatinny rail system allows seamless integration of optics, thermal sights, laser rangefinders, and advanced fire control units. The system’s improved venting and firing mechanisms contribute to a faster rate of fire and reduced recoil, giving the operator greater control and agility in dynamic combat scenarios. Additionally, its ability to engage targets beyond 1,000 meters with enhanced precision ammunition marks a notable leap in operational reach.

This acquisition aligns with the Canadian Army’s ongoing anti-tank modernization strategy, which has seen a systematic overhaul of legacy systems in favor of more agile, effective, and interoperable solutions. The Carl-Gustaf M4 will join a layered inventory of anti-tank platforms already in Canadian service. These include the M72A5-C1 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW), a disposable 66mm launcher effective against light armor and hardened positions, valued for its ease of use and compact form factor, particularly in close-quarter combat.

At the medium to long-range tier, the Canadian Army operates the BGM-71 TOW missile system, with approximately 40 launchers equipped with the Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) and an inventory exceeding 30,000 missiles. The TOW remains a highly effective line-of-sight guided weapon for engaging enemy armor and fortified defenses. In addition, Canada has fielded the Israeli-developed Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile, initially for special operations forces and now increasingly employed in regular units, including those deployed in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. The Spike-LR system offers a fire-and-forget mode, top-attack capability, and an extended range, positioning it as a strategic asset in both deterrence and combat scenarios.

The Canadian Army’s modernization effort also includes the phasing out of outdated platforms such as the French-Canadian Eryx missile, which was withdrawn from service in 2016 due to obsolescence. The introduction of the Carl-Gustaf M4 closes this capability gap and ensures that Canada’s infantry forces are equipped with versatile, combat-proven weaponry that meets the requirements of contemporary warfare, including urban combat, mechanized threats, and hybrid conflict environments.

With this acquisition, Canada joins over 40 nations using the Carl-Gustaf system, reinforcing interoperability within NATO and allied coalitions. Saab's President in Canada, Simon Carroll, highlighted the significance of the deal, stating it reflects strong international demand for Saab’s battlefield-tested solutions and underscores Canada’s commitment to enhancing operational readiness. The delivery timeline and exact quantities remain undisclosed, but the contract clearly reflects Canada’s strategic priority to empower its ground forces with state-of-the-art firepower.

As global military forces adapt to increasingly complex and mechanized threats, Canada’s investment in the Carl-Gustaf M4 portable anti-tank weapon positions its infantry at the forefront of tactical lethality, flexibility, and technological advancement on the modern battlefield.