Polish military in Sweden trained on Carl Gustaf grenade launchers
22 November, 2024 Polish soldiers training with the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher in Sweden. November 2024. Photo credits: Saab
A group of Polish soldiers in Sweden has undergone intensive training in the use of Carl Gustaf M4 man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon systems. This spring, Poland ordered 6,000 units of the weapon. The training was organized in the city of Karlskoga, where the headquarters of Saab Bofors Dynamics, which is the manufacturer of the Swedish grenade launchers, is located, Polska Zbrojna reports.
The course began on November 11 and ends on November 22. The servicemen from various branches of the Polish Armed Forces, including three instructors from the Territorial Defense Forces Training Center in Toru?, are taking part in the training. The Polish technicians and instructors participated in theoretical and practical exercises, where they acquired skills in working with the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher.
Polish soldiers training with the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher in Sweden.
November 2024. Photo credits: Saab
The course began on November 11 and ends on November 22. Servicemen from various branches of the Polish armed forces, including three instructors from the Territorial Defense Forces Training Center in Toru?, are taking part in the training.
The Polish technicians and instructors participated in theoretical and practical exercises where they acquired the skills in working with the Carl Gustaf M4 man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon system. In the first part of the course, they learned about the structure, tactical data and principles of using an anti-tank grenade launcher. The second, practical part of the training included the lessons on the direct use of the grenade launcher using specialized simulators.
The training was conducted with both training and live ammunition.
The Carl Gustaf weapon system and ammunition. Photo credits: Saab
After completing the training and passing the exams, the Polish officers will return to the country to continue to conduct training for the soldiers of various brigades. In March of this year, the Polish Defense Ministry's Armaments Agency ordered six thousand Carl Gustaf M4 man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon systems by Swedish company Saab, along with new FCD 558 fire control devices that enable the use of HE 448 programmable high explosive rounds.
Along with the grenade launchers, the Polish military will also receive various types of ammunition, including: cumulative (anti-tank), high-explosive, multifunctional, smoke, lighting, training and education. As well as training equipment. The contract, which will be executed in 2024-2027, is worth approximately PLN 6.5 billion.
Carl Gustaf M4 man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon system
The Carl Gustaf M4 man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon system was developed in 2014 to replace older versions of this type of grenade launcher, designated M2 and M3, which were created in 1964 and 1986 respectively.
Thanks to the use of new materials, the weight of the M4 was reduced by 4 kg compared to the M3 version, which weighed 10 kg.
The weapon system's peculiarity lies in its reusability, lack of recoil, and a large range of 84mm ammunition available for use.