SHAH ALAM: Back in May, 2021, Malaysian Defence reported that a tender for the supply of 110 launchers of an 84mm anti-tank was floated in the Eperolehan website. Unfortunately, three months later, Malaysian Defence wrote that this tender was cancelled, as usual for no apparent reason. I was told recently, the tender was cancelled as no company had placed a bid for it. Despite it was not named, the tender was for procurement of the Saab Carl Gustav M4 recoilless rifle.
On, July 2022, another tender for the 84mm anti weapon or the Carl Gustav M4 – the latest version of the recoilless rifle – was floated on the Eperolehan website. Malaysian Defence did not report this tender as I did not notice it on Eperolehan.
The specifications called for the same number of launchers – 110 and undetermined number of seven types of ammunition. The seven types of ammunition include high explosive anti-tank; high explosive dual purpose; anti-structure; anti-personnel, anti-deterrent; smoke and illumination. Some of these are guided munitions.
And when I checked the website yesterday, the Letter of Award or contract for the tender was awarded to Global Combined Technology Sdn Bhd. The contract is listed at RM27 million.
I was told that more Carl Gustav will be purchase soon as the Army intends to replace its other older anti-tank and anti-structure weapons. The Goose with its guided munitions will be cheaper replacements and more accurate than some of these weapons.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (23)
So after dabbling with NLAW, they went back to more Goose huh?
Don't mean to be pedantic but what older anti-tank and anti-structure weapons are there? The C90s have been replaced by M-72s and I would assume the Carl Gustav Mk2s will be replaced by the Mk4s. Also, unlike disposable shoulder mounted weapons which are issued at section level the Carl Gustavs are operated by Support Companies.
The numbers of the M4 launchers for the initial batch would be enough to equip each section in the PARA brigade with 2 launchers.
This would enable the current heavy M2 to be handed down to other infantry battalions.
... - ''So after dabbling with NLAW, they went back to more Goose huh?''
That was always the intention and no ''dabbling''. Both are intended for slightly different purposes. The NLAW is only for a select few units and primarily as an AT weapon.
In contrast the Carl Gustav can fire smoke and illum and practically every infantry battalion has had a handful of Carl Gustavs since the 1970's.
... - ''The numbers of the M4 launchers for the initial batch would be enough to equip each section in the PARA brigade with 2 launchers.''
Incorrect. That's not what the numbers indicate.
Carl Gustavs are almost never operated at section level; except maybe by SOF/SF units.
In other units they are a battalion asset; operated by Support Companies; each comprising a Mortar Platoon; AT Platoon; MG Platoon; etc. With only 9-8 men a section; having 2 Carl Gustavs as a section weapon would be somewhat problematic given they each require a crew of 2.
NLAWs are disposable single use weapons.
Carl Gustafs M4 are lightweight recoiless rifles that can fire multitudes of different shells. Earlier Carl Gustafs are heavy weapons. The latest M4 weighs less than 8kg, similar in weight to RPG-7s.
In Ukraine, we have seen Carl Gustafs used almost like a personal artillery, with the system continuously reloaded and fired.
I can see the M4 used like the RPG-7 at section level, unlike M2 used in fire support companies.
This past few years, we have not seen the PARAs lugging the RPG-7. Maybe the RPG-7s will remain mostly for Mechanized formations, while the PARAs will be equipped with M4s.
"primarily as an AT weapon"
Which is why its important to know what is the intended requirement of the weapon. As a primary AT, the CG isn't that effective (compared to NLAW) but rather its more a general purpose use that could launch different types of rounds. NLAW otoh cannot do much anything else except as an AT weapon. Because the original tender was for an AT weapon which is why I bought up the NLAW.
... - ''NLAWs are disposable single use weapons.''
Ta for the update.
... - ''Carl Gustafs M4 are lightweight recoiless rifles that can fire multitudes of different shells.''
It is still intended to be issued to Support Companies and the older Mk2 could/can also fire smoke/illum which is what we used it quite a bit for. At the end of the day; despite you thinking it's a grand brilliant idea idea the Carl Gustav will not be a section level weapon.
... - ''In Ukraine, we have seen Carl Gustafs used almost like a personal artillery''
''In Ukraine, we have seen'' various things utilised at sustained rates not seen since the 1973 war or Vietnam due to the fact that the conflict is a high intensity one.
... - ''I can see the M4 used like the RPG-7 at section level''
I don't doubt you can ''see'' various things but the reality is that the Carl Gustav is a crew served weapon requiring a crew of two which does not make it practical to be operated by a 8-9 men section. Same reason why most would not issue a MG-3 or MAG 58 at section level.
... - ''Maybe the RPG-7s will remain mostly for Mechanized formations, while the PARAs will be equipped with M4s.''
''Maybe'' a lot of things can happen but if we stick to the realm of reality the Paras still have their RPGs at section level and will have their Support Company Carl Gustav Mk2s replaced by Mk4s. Note that in every other army despite being ''lightweight'' [a subjective term by itself especially if one has to lug it] the Carl Gustav Mk4 is not issued at section level and there's legitimate reasons for this; irrespective of the fact that you think it's a grand idea for it to be a section weapon.
We still use other weapons systems that are even older than Carl gustav M2 so the only way the army is ditching the M2 entirely is if the launcher itself is so clapped that the rifled groove already worn out which necessitates the need for replacement (which isn't going to be anytime soon. )They're probably being handed down to either the TA boys or put as reserve stocks
For context, South Korean military uses M67 recoilless rifle until today despite M67 being older and comparatively less capable than M2 CG. They licensed produced both the launcher and munitions for M67 recoilless rifle
Azlan
Why are you so embittered by the notion that Anwar and Erdogan are buddies?
In the tender specs, it is clearly stated that the Carl Gustaf will equip anti-armour platoons.
Also from the tender specs, it seems that they are buying the standard HEAT round (HEAT 551) and not the one with tandem warhead (HEAT 751) that can penetrate ERA tiles.
dundun - ''We still use other weapons systems that are even older than Carl gustav M2 ''
Yes but the discussion was on shoulder fired weapons. What pray tell shoulder fired weapon operated is older than the Car lGustav.
dundun - ''is if the launcher itself is so clapped that the rifled groove already''
They were reworked on some years ago by SME with help from Saab.
dundun - ''Why are you so embittered by the notion that Anwar and Erdogan are buddies?''
Wrong question/wrong assumption. I'm not ''embittered'' in any way. I get annoyed and slighty amused when people [are you one of them?] simplistically assume that just because both know each other that we'll get ''friendship'' prices. Erdogan is mates with many people and as for ''friendship'' prices one doesn't need to be mates. All one needs to do is express a genuine desire to buy and in the right quantities. We buy in small quantities and with no indication we'll ever buy more.
I have made this clear before.