Latvia, Estonia place joint order for modern anti-tank weapons

Take note – story published 3 years ago

Latvia's National Armed Forces, together with the Estonian Armed Forces, has placed an order with Swedish company Saab Dynamics AB for the supply of a new 'Carl-Gustaf M4' anti-tank weapons.

"The order for the new Carl-Gustaf anti-tank weapons is a continuation of the cooperation with Scandinavian partners established several years ago. These weapons meet the needs of the National Armed Forces, and have ensured the successful execution of training exercises, as well as expanded the compatibility of our equipment with the arsenal of our geographically closest Allies. Therefore, the decision to modernize the existing range of weapons is natural,” said Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks.

It is planned that the weapons ordered for approximately 1.3 million euros will be delivered to the National Armed Forces by 2022. The number of units was not specified. The new grenade launchers will be used in parallel with the M2 modification weapons previously received from Sweden and Norway.

The order is based on a joint agreement between the Swedish Defense Equipment Administration, the Estonian Defense Investment Center and Saab Dynamics AB, which was signed in 2018.

The Carl-Gustaf M4 launchers are lighter, at less than 7 kilos, and more compact than the M2 weapons currently available to the National Armed Forces, enhancing the infantry's ability to perform the necessary combat maneuvers, as well as carry more ammunition. The latest Carl Gustaf modifications incorporate electronic components and a wide range of ammunition allowing the destruction of armor, fortifications and personnel, as well as providing smoke screens or flares on the battlefield.

Carl-Gustaf systems are used by several NATO members. To date, 13 countries have ordered these weapons in the latest modification and the video above gives a quick overview of the weapon.

Back in March the National Armed Forces procured a batch of AT4 anti-tank weapons also produced by Saab Dynamics to improve Land Force anti-tank capabilities. According to the cooperation agreement Latvia will receive AT4 antitank units in 2021. 

"By adding these antitank weapons to the arsenal of Latvian Army in scope of Latvia-Sweden military cooperation, we are sending a strong signal to potential aggressors – we can successfully destroy a significant number of your tanks. Thus, we are also strengthening the deterrence capabilities of the whole Baltic region," said Defense Minister Artis Pabriks at the time. 

AT4 is a light, 84-mm single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon already used by Latvian army, designed to promote combat capabilities required to engage with enemy armoured and other vehicles, and fortifications. 

Cooperation agreement between the National Armed Forces and Swedish company ‘Saab Dynamics AB‘ was signed on 30 October 2017. 7-year contract envisages supply of spare parts and components of AT4 grenade launchers and Carl Gustaf antitank weapons to Latvia.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important