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Anti-tank weapons1948–presentProfile in progress
Shoulder-fired recoilless rifle ( crew-served multi-role infantry support gun )
Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle is a shoulder-fired recoilless rifle ( crew-served multi-role infantry support gun ) originating in Sweden. It was built by Saab Bofors Dynamics (formerly Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori), Howa (license). Reported operators include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Zambia.
SwedenCarl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle
User:Reise Reise · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · ModifiedTechnical data
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Checked 30 Sept 2026Recorded cached-source extraction and article inspection. No matching scoped field was extracted; this is not a claim that all five sources were checked.
Retained English infobox, specifications and article text
This article is about the weapon. For the current King of Sweden, see Carl XVI Gustaf . Carl-Gustaf 84 mm Recoilless Rifle Carl Gustaf M4 anti-tank weapon Type Shoulder-fired recoilless rifle ( crew-served multi-role infantry support gun ) Place of origin Sweden Service history In service 1948–prese
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Shoulder-fired recoilless rifle ( crew-served multi-role infantry support gun )
Sweden
1948–present
See Users
See Wars
Hugo Abramson, Sigfrid Akselson and Harald Jentzen
M1: 1946 M2: 1964 M3: 1986 M4: 2014
Saab Bofors Dynamics (formerly Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori), Howa (license)
US$20,000 Ammo cost: US$500–3,000 per round
M2: 14.2 kg (31 lb) M3: 10 kg (22 lb) M4/M3A1: 6.6 kg (15 lb)
(M2) 1,130 mm (44 in) (M4/M3A1) 950 mm (37 in)
Two (gunner and loader), but may be used by a single operator at a reduced rate of fire.
84 × 245 mm R RCL
84 mm (3.31 in)
Recoilless , single-shot , breechloader , laterally, percussion fired
6 rounds per minute
230–255 m/s (750–840 ft/s)
350 to 400 m (1,150 to 1,310 ft) against moving vehicles 500 m (1,600 ft) against stationary vehicles 1,000 m (3,300 ft) using smoke and high explosive rounds 2,500 m (8,200 ft) using rocket-boosted laser guided ammunition
Hinged breech
Open (iron) sights; optical 3× laser rangefinder ; image intensification system
Argentina
Australia : Use of the M2 has been succeeded by the M3, with the M4 on order as of 2010.
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Canada M4 variant ordered in May 2025.
Colombia : M3 variant
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark : Variants are officially called M/65, M/79 and M/85 based on their year of introduction. The M4 was ordered for delivery in 2022. All variants have commonly been referred to as Dysekanon ( lit. nozzle cannon) in the Danish army.
Estonia : M3, M4 variants. Previously used M2s which were phased out with the purchase of 250 M4s in 2021.
Germany The Bundeswehr maintains a small number of M2s for battlefield illumination.
Ghana
Greece
Hungary : M4
Honduras
India : The country's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a prototype of a lighter version using composites.
Indonesia : Used by the Kopaska and Kopassus special forces.
Ireland : Issued to specialist units such as the Army Ranger Wing (ARW).
Israel
Italy Planned 2,720 M-4 launchers and 122,000 projectiles for 426 M€, between 2022 and 2032
Japan : M2 called "84 mm Recoilless Rifle", M3 called "multi-purpose gun" ( 多用途ガン ) '
Kenya
Kurdistan : The standing military had 43 launchers and +1,000 projectiles as of 2015.
Kuwait
Latvia : M4 on order.
Libya
Lithuania : M2, M3 and M4.
Malaysia : M2 and M3 in service. 110 units of M4 variant ordered in 2021.
Myanmar : Used by divisional heavy weapon companies for counter-insurgency campaigns. Clones made as BA-84(MA-84) MK and MK-II .
Nepal
New Zealand M3 (M4 on order)
Nigeria
Norway : M2, M3, M4
Poland : Used by special forces. In 2024, over 6,000 M4 variants were ordered with large stocks of ammunition.
Portugal : M2 and M3 variants used by Portuguese Army and Portuguese Marine Corps .
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia : M3 and early adopter of M4 variant, which became operational in July 2017.
Slovenia : M4 version in use since 2020.
Sweden : M2 and M3, to be replaced with M4 between 2020 and 2023.
Thailand
Ukraine : 100 units with 2,000 rounds of ammunition donated by the Government of Canada due to the Russo-Ukrainian War .
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom : M2 variant was used as the L14A1 Infantry Anti-Tank Gun or Medium Anti-Tank Weapon from the 1960s until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by LAW 80 . Procurement of M4 variant was announced in 2023 to replenish munitions granted to Ukraine.
United States : Used by USSOCOM , US Army Ranger battalions, and some regular US Army infantry units in the War in Afghanistan. In February 2014, the M3 MAAWS became standard-issue in army light infantry units.
Venezuela
Zambia
Netherlands : The M2 was in service with the Royal Netherlands Army since 1964 and also with the Dutch Marine Corps, known as the Terugstootloze vuurmond (TLV, lit. recoilless gun) 84 mm, Carl Gustaf M-2. It was replaced by the Panzerfaust 3 .
Singapore : Replaced by MATADOR in 2013.
The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle ( Swedish pronunciation: [kɑːɭ ˈɡɵ̂sːtav] , named after Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori , which initially produced it) is a Swedish-developed 84 mm (3.3 in) caliber shoulder-fired recoilless rifle , initially developed by the Royal Swedish Army Materiel Administration during the second half of the 1940s as a crew-served man-portable infantry support gun for close-range multi-role anti-armour , anti-personnel , battlefield illumination , smoke screening and marking fire, which has seen great export success around the globe and continues to be a popular multi-purpose support weapon in use by many nations.
The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle ( Swedish pronunciation: [kɑːɭ ˈɡɵ̂sːtav] , named after Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori , which initially produced it) is a Swedish-developed 84 mm (3.3 in) caliber shoulder-fired recoilless rifle , initially developed by the Royal Swedish Army Materiel Administration during the second half of the 1940s as a crew-served man-portable infantry support gun for close-range multi-role anti-armour , anti-personnel , battlefield illumination , smoke screening and marking fire, which has seen great export success around the globe and continues to be a popular multi-purpose support weapon in use by many nations. The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles.
Development of the initial model started from 1946 as one of the many recoilless rifle designs of that era, based on the experience from the earlier Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle and the success of man-portable rocket launchers during World War II , such as the bazooka and Panzerschreck . Production of the initial model was handled by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori led by Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) and the weapon received the designation 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48 , ( 8,4 cm grg m/48 – "8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 1948) in Swedish service. FFV would continue to further develop the weapon for the international market, later being merged into Saab Bofors Dynamics which handles development and export today. While similar weapons have generally disappeared from service, the Carl Gustaf is still in production and remains in widespread use.
In Swedish military service, it is officially known as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48 , m/86 and m/18 , depending on the model (M1, M3, M4), but is often simply referred to as the "GRG" (gé-er-gé) after their type designation abbreviation (from granatgevär , meaning "grenade rifle"), since all models fire the same general ammunition and are used in much the same way (although the 84 mm grg m/18 can use programmable and guided ammunition).
The overpressure, or blast wave , generated by the Gustaf will cause blast- and burn-related injuries to those behind the weapon, and is dangerous to 30 metres (100 ft) and hazardous to about 50 to 75 metres (160 to 250 ft). Repeatedly firing the Gustaf can also cause related shock wave injuries to gunners and those nearby.
Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle – 1942 (Swedish designation: 20 mm pansarvärnsgevär m/42)
Carl Gustaf 37 mm recoilless rifle – 1943 (Swedish designation: 37 mm granatgevär fm/43)
Carl Gustaf 47 mm recoilless rifle – 1945 (Swedish designation: 47 mm granatgevär fm/45)
Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle – 1948 (Swedish designation: 84 mm granatgevär m/48)
Despite advances in recoilless rifle technology introduced by the development family, it was quickly discovered that small-bore solid steel penetrators were obsolete for shoulder-fired antitank weapons, thus caliber was gradually increased to focus on multirole shell -type ammunition and the recent advances in shaped charge projectiles. By 1946 a caliber of 84 mm was decided upon (although larger calibers were proposed and tested).
The 84 mm weapon was first introduced into Swedish service in 1948 as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48 , filling a similar role as the US Army 's bazooka , British PIAT and German Panzerschreck , albeit with a higher focus on multirole and fire support than pure anti-tank warfare . Unlike the aforementioned weapons, however, the 84 mm Carl Gustaf used a rifled barrel for spin-stabilising its rounds, as opposed to fins used by the other systems. Sweden did, however, also adopt a true man-portable anti-tank system around the same time, the 8 cm raketgevär m/49 (fixed) and 8 cm raketgevär m/51 (foldable) rocket launchers, only featuring anti-tank ammunition.
The use of the recoilless firing system allowed the Gustaf to use ammunition containing considerably more propellant, firing its rounds at 290 m/s (950 ft/s), as opposed to about 105 m/s (340 ft/s) for the Panzerschreck and bazooka and about 75 m/s (250 ft/s) for the PIAT. The result was superior accuracy at longer ranges. The Gustaf can be used to attack larger stationary targets at up to 700 m (2,300 ft), but the relatively low speed of the projectile restricts attacks on moving targets to a range of 400 m (1,300 ft) or less.
The Carl Gustaf M3 started development in the 1980s and initially entered service with the Swedish Armed Forces as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/86 ("8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 1986). While similar to the export M3, it shares some spare parts with the original 1948 M1 model. It reduced the weight even further by replacing the forged steel tube with a thin steel liner containing the rifling, strengthened by a carbon fibre outer sleeve. The external steel parts were also replaced with plastics and aluminium alloys.
The MAAWS M3 is primarily used by United States Special Operations Command such as the Army Rangers , Army Special Forces , Marine Raiders , Navy SEALs , and JSOC operators. When used by the Rangers, the M3 may be referred to as the Ranger Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (RAAWS). Army Rangers found the M3 was best employed using a two-man team. One person would carry the launcher and be armed with a pistol for personal protection, and the other would carry 5–6 rounds of ammunition and act as a spotter for the gunner. Although the single-shot AT4 is lighter and can be carried by one person, a Gustaf team with the heavier recoilless rifle can reload and fire more rounds.
HE 441D RS : High explosive round with air burst capability, 800 6 mm steel pellets, and reduced sensitivity (RS) explosives
HE 441E: High explosive with programmable air burst and 4000 3 mm tungsten pellets
SCA 553B: Adapter to fire 7.62 mm tracer ammunition for training
While the M3 MAAWS provided enhanced effectiveness over other launchers, its 9.5 kg (21 lb) weight burdened troops. On 28 March 2013, USSOCOM announced a call for sources to develop a kit to lighten the weapon and reduce overall length without affecting handling or ruggedness. Saab was already developing a weight-reduced version that demonstrated no decrease in performance, no increase in recoil, and nearly equivalent barrel life that could be ready for testing in 2014. Saab also developed a high-explosive round that has a direct fire range of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) when using a fire control system.
Compared to the M3 MAAWS, the M4 is 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) lighter at 6.6 kg (15 lb), and shorter with a 950 mm (37 in) overall length. The shorter length was in response to the need to wield the weapon in urban terrain, and weight savings were achieved through using lighter components whenever possible including a carbon fibre tube with titanium liner, and a new venturi design. Other new features include a red-dot sight, a travel safety catch to allow the M4 to be carried while loaded, an adjustable shoulder rest and forward grip for improved ergonomics, a shot counter to keep track of how many rounds have been fired to manage the weapon's 1,000-round barrel life, double that of the M3, picatinny rails for grips and sight mounts, and a remote round management function so intelligent sights can communicate with programmable rounds.
In April 2019, a contract of SEK 168 million (US$18.1 million) was approved to supply the Australian Army with ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf M4 84 mm multipurpose weapon systems ordered by the service in September 2018.
By using titanium, it is more than 2.7 kilograms (6 lb) lighter than the 2014 M4 and is also 64 millimetres (2.5 in) shorter.
The M3A1's main sight is the Aimpoint FCS13RE, an advanced fire control system with an integrated laser rangefinder and a modular ballistic computer capable of programming high-explosive air-bursting ammunition (up to 1400 meters) and engaging moving targets (up to 600 meters).
Testing with soldiers and SOF operators during live-fire exercises has demonstrated a hit rate of 90% or higher on both moving targets at 300 meters and stationary targets out to 850 meters, leading to a 60% increase in operational effectiveness compared to the older M3 MAAWS.
In 2018 the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration ( Swedish : Försvarets materielverk , FMV ) signed a contract with Saab to purchase the Carl Gustaf M4 as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/18 ("8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 2018), often written without the "m/" to distinguish it from older m/18 (model 1918) systems ( 8,4 cm granatgevär 18 , abbr. 8,4 cm grg 18 ). The M4 will replace the old M1 models ( 8,4 cm grg m/48 ) models still in service as some units are pushing 70+ years in service. The 8,4 cm grg 18 will feature an advanced laser rangefinder and will be acquired with new programmable ammunition (preliminary name HE 448 ), and a new, improved HEAT shell.
In November 2011, the US Army began ordering the M3 MAAWS for regular units deployed in Afghanistan. Soldiers were being engaged with RPGs at 900 meters, while their light weapons had effective ranges of 500–600 meters. The Gustaf allows airburst capability of troops in defilade out to 1,250 meters, and high-explosive use out to 1,300 meters.
In late 2012, the Army fielded 58 M3s and 1,500 rounds of ammunition to units deployed to Afghanistan to destroy enemy targets out to 1,000 meters.
This was because RPG and machine gun teams could attack 900 meters away, while existing weaponry such as the M141 Bunker Defeat Munition , M72 LAW , M136 AT4 , and MK153 SMAW have effective ranges of only 500 meters.
Employing the 10 kg (22 lb) M3 is easier than the 24 kg (50 lb) FGM-148 Javelin with its launcher with missile and reusable command launch unit, is faster than waiting on mortars, and is cheaper than the Javelin and artillery shells for engaging targets in hard cover.
Since 2022, the Carl Gustaf has been used in combat in the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Ukrainian forces, being used to target both tanks and infantry. According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense , a Carl Gustaf was used to destroy the first Russian T-90M main battle tank of the war.
The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless gun fires a 84 × 245 mm rimmed recoilless (84×245R RCL) cartridge with a blowout base for propellant gas ventilation.
AEI Systems Ltd., a British defence products manufacturer, offers a variant of the platform dubbed the AE84-RCL designed to fire the M540/M550 line of 84×245 mm R ammunition manufactured in Belgium by Mecar .
FFV441 is an HE round, useful in a "lobbed" trajectory to 1,000 m, which can be fused to either detonate on impact or as an airburst .
FFV441B is an HE round with an effective range against personnel in the open of 1,100 m. The round arms after 20 to 70 m of flight, weighs 3.1 kg, and is fired at a muzzle velocity of 255 m/s.
FFV448 is a programmable HE round with a Firebolt interface, 1500m effective range, and 2.7kg weight.
FFV469 is a smoke round fired like the FFV441, with a range of about 1,300 m. The 3.1 kg round is also fired at 255 m/s.
FFV502 is an HEDP round with the ability to be set to detonate on either impact or one-tenth second later. Effective range is 1,000 m against dispersed soft targets such as infantry in the open, 500 m against stationary targets and 300 m against moving targets. Minimum range is 15 to 40 m to arm the warhead. Penetration exceeds 150 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA). Ammunition weight is 3.3 kg and muzzle velocity is 230 m/s.
FFV509 is an ASM (Anti-Structure Munition), designed especially to destroy buildings and other types of urban constructions. The fuse has two modes: impact or a delayed function. The muzzle velocity is approximately 170 m/s and the maximum effective range is 300 meters.
FFV545 is an illuminating star shell, fired up to 2,300 m maximum range, but with an effective envelope of 300 to 2,100 m. Suspended by parachute, the star shell burns for 30 seconds while producing 650,000 candela , providing a 400 to 500 m diameter area of illumination.
FFV551 is the primary HEAT round and is a rocket-assisted projectile (RAP). Effective range is up to 700 m (400 m against moving targets) and penetration up to 400 mm of RHA. The ammunition weighs 3.2 kg and has a muzzle velocity of 255 m/s. After rocket ignition, the maximum velocity at 500 meters is 330 m/s.
FFV551C RS is an evolution of FFV551, with improved Reduced Sensitivity (RS) munition properties and significant behind-armour effect. The ammunition weighs 3.5 kg and has a muzzle velocity of 245 m/s. After rocket ignition, the maximum velocity at 500 meters is 330 m/s. The maximum effective range is 700 meters and the armor penetration is about 400 mm.
HEAT 655 CS (Confined Spaces) "high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round that can be fired by the 84 mm Carl Gustaf recoilless weapon from within small enclosures."
FFV751 is a tandem-warhead HEAT round with an effective range of 500 m and ability to penetrate more than 500 mm of armour. The round weighs 3.8 kg and has a muzzle velocity of 210m/s, while maximum velocity after rocket ignition is 336m/s.
Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM) is a laser guided projectile developed between Saab and Raytheon , featuring a multipurpose warhead capable of defeating bunkers and moving light armored vehicles at a range of 2,500 m and can be fired from enclosed spaces.
Carl Gustaf Sweden M2 84 mm
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 14.2 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Belize
Bhutan
Botswana
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Czechia
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceReported count for M2 Carl-Gustav. Service scope: Hellenic Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 1,988. Origin: Sweden Greece. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Honduras
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Libya
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
MyanmarReported count for Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle. Service scope: Myanmar Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 1000. Origin: Sweden. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
PolandLower-bound count for Carl Gustaf · M4. Service scope: Polish Land Forces; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: > 6,000. Origin: Sweden. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2024), not the article revision. Cited source 2024-03-06. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
Portugal
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa Sweden
Thailand
Tunisia
Türkiye
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Venezuela
ZambiaArgentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Zambia
Equipment reference ↗