Amid a sharp spike in tensions between India and Pakistan, Saab India has announced the successful delivery of its AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian Armed Forces. The move is seen not just as a reinforcement of India’s infantry capabilities but also a clear signal of New Delhi’s intent to bolster its defensive and offensive urban warfare capabilities.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Saab India stated, “We are proud to announce the successful delivery of our AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian Armed Forces. Selected through a competitive evaluation, AT4 joins India’s arsenal as a trusted single-shot solution for short-range combat.”
The Indian Armed Forces have procured the AT4CS AST variant — a version specifically tailored for urban warfare, designed for use from confined spaces like buildings, bunkers, and other enclosed environments. This variant enhances Indian capabilities to fight effectively in urban settings, a scenario that increasingly dominates modern combat, especially in counter-terrorism and localized conflicts.
The announcement comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan are under considerable strain, following a series of incidents along the Line of Control and diplomatic confrontations. Defense analysts see the timing of the delivery as critical.
“Urban warfare capabilities are crucial given the nature of threats India faces today, not just from cross-border skirmishes but also internal security challenges,” said Colonel (Retd.) Vivek Sharma, a defense expert based in New Delhi. “The AT4CS AST significantly boosts the infantry’s ability to neutralize threats quickly in complex urban terrain.”
The AT4’s induction into the Indian arsenal also comes at a time when the Indian Army is undertaking a broader modernization drive, seeking to equip its forces with versatile, portable, and highly effective weaponry.
Saab has long-standing ties with India’s defense sector, primarily through its Carl-Gustaf shoulder-fired weapon systems, which have been in Indian service for decades and are now locally produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) under license.
The successful integration of the AT4 system marks a deepening of this partnership.
“We are honoured that the Indian Armed Forces, already long-standing users of our Carl-Gustaf system, have now selected Saab for their single-shot weapon needs as well,” said Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Business Area Dynamics. “The Indian Army and Indian Air Force can be confident in the knowledge that they now have additional firepower to maintain the advantage on the battlefield.”
The contract for the AT4 systems, initially announced by Saab on January 20, 2022, was awarded after a competitive procurement process, emphasizing India’s commitment to transparency and operational efficiency in defense acquisitions.
The AT4 system is an 84mm, disposable, single-shot anti-armour weapon that can be operated by a single soldier. Weighing up to 7.5 kilograms, the weapon is lightweight and highly maneuverable, critical attributes for urban warfare.
The AT4CS AST (Confined Space, Anti-Structure Tandem) variant specifically addresses the unique challenges of close-quarters combat. Its tandem warhead can breach walls and neutralize enemy positions inside buildings, creating points of access for advancing troops. The system is engineered to eliminate dangerous backblast through a saltwater countermass mechanism, allowing it to be fired safely from enclosed spaces.
Saab India’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ola Rignell, emphasized, “The AT4 systems are combat-proven across the world. They are lightweight, single-shot, fully disposable, and truly characterized by their ease of use and handling. The selection of the system through a competitive process underscores Saab’s commitment to bringing to Indian forces the latest systems.”
Besides India, the AT4 system is used by numerous armed forces globally, including those of the United States, France, and Sweden. Its combat record and reliability have made it a trusted choice for infantry units operating in hostile urban environments.
Modern battlefields often present soldiers with close-quarter environments where traditional anti-armour weapons are less effective or even hazardous to the operator. Conventional weapons produce significant backblast, posing serious risks when fired indoors.
The AT4CS variant solves this problem by integrating a saltwater-based countermass that neutralizes the dangerous backblast, making indoor launches safe. This innovation offers Indian soldiers flexibility, enabling them to engage enemy targets from inside houses, bunkers, or narrow alleyways.
Moreover, the weapon boasts high penetration power. The AT4’s projectile can defeat over 17.5 inches of armor plating, making it effective not just against enemy personnel in structures but also against light armored vehicles and fortified positions.
The minimum arming distance of 10 meters makes the AT4 suitable for extremely close engagements, a vital requirement in urban combat zones where threats can emerge at very short distances.
The AT4 family includes several variants optimized for different operational needs.
- HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank): Designed for defeating armored vehicles.
- AST (Anti-Structure Tandem): Optimized for urban warfare.
- ER (Extended Range): For targets beyond the standard 270-meter effective range.
- HE (High Explosive): For maximum blast effect against personnel and unarmored targets.
- HP (High Penetration): For heavily fortified structures.
- RS (Reduced Sensitivity): For safer handling in volatile environments.
These options provide operational flexibility, allowing military planners to choose the most suitable variant depending on mission requirements.
India’s defense procurement policy emphasizes indigenous manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative. Given Saab’s established local partnerships for the Carl-Gustaf system, industry insiders speculate that a similar arrangement could be considered for the AT4 in the future.
“If Saab and India agree on a production setup for the AT4, it would align well with India’s goal of reducing dependency on imported defense hardware,” said Meera Khanna, an analyst at the Indian Defence Research Institute. “It would also pave the way for technology transfer and capacity building in India’s private and public defense sectors.”
Saab has already proposed to set up a manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 in India, and expanding this to include AT4 production could further solidify the company’s foothold in the Indian defense market.
With the induction of the AT4CS AST, the Indian Army and Air Force have commenced specialized training programs to familiarize troops with the new weapon system.
Given the weapon’s user-friendly design, training time is significantly lower than for traditional multi-shot anti-tank systems. Indian soldiers can be rapidly equipped with the knowledge needed to use the weapon effectively, which is critical in maintaining operational readiness amid rising regional tensions.
“Ease of use is not just about convenience; it’s about survivability,” explained Lt. General (Retd.) Arjun Mehra. “In a real-world firefight, simplicity and reliability can make the difference between life and death.”
The induction of AT4 systems could have regional implications, especially given the tense security environment.
Pakistan’s defense establishment will likely view this development with concern, as the AT4 significantly improves India’s infantry capability to engage in rapid, aggressive operations in built-up areas — a scenario that is highly relevant along the heavily militarized Line of Control.
On the other hand, it signals to other regional players and potential adversaries that India is committed to equipping its forces with world-class military hardware, enhancing deterrence.
The successful delivery and induction of Saab’s AT4CS AST into India’s arsenal is more than a routine procurement; it represents a strategic upgrade in India’s military capabilities, particularly for urban and close-quarter combat.
