Swedish firm’s Jhajjar plant to begin weapon production early next year

Swedish defence company Saab has announced that its upcoming plant in Jhajjar, Haryana, will begin production of the Carl-Gustaf shoulder-fired weapon by early next year.

The Carl-Gustaf, in service with the Indian Army since 1975, will now be manufactured at the Jhajjar facility — the first defence sector project in India approved under the 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) route.

“Work at our Haryana facility is progressing, and we are awaiting the industrial licence. We expect to begin manufacturing early next year,” said Mats Palmberg, Chairman and Managing Director, Saab India.

In March last year, Saab conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility, its first outside Sweden. The plant will not only produce the weapon system for the Indian armed forces, but also manufacture components for export to global customers.

Meanwhile, Saab has completed deliveries of its AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian armed forces. The AT4, a fully disposable, lightweight, man-portable and unguided rocket launcher, will be used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The announcements come ahead of Aero India 2025, set to begin on Monday.

Palmberg said Saab looks forward to discussions with the IAF on its bid for the Gripen E fighter aircraft in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft deal. “We can deliver the first Gripen E aircraft to the IAF within three years of the contract, with indigenous content. We will establish a full-fledged manufacturing facility in India with complete technology transfer,” said Kent-Åke Molin, head of the Gripen for India programme at Saab.