Saab has unveiled its latest anti-tank ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf weapon system during a live-fire customer demonstration held in Karlskoga, Sweden, in May.
Designated HEAT 758, the new round has been specifically developed to counter heavy armoured vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), a protection system increasingly seen on modern battlefields. ERA is designed to detonate outward when struck, disrupting and reducing the effectiveness of incoming anti-armour munitions.
To overcome this challenge, HEAT 758 incorporates a tandem warhead configuration. The precursor charge first neutralises the ERA mounted on the target vehicle before the primary charge penetrates the main armour beneath. According to Saab, the main charge is capable of penetrating up to 700 mm of armour, providing the capability to defeat some of the world’s heaviest armoured vehicles.
The company confirmed that an undisclosed Carl-Gustaf customer has already placed an order for the new ammunition, with production currently underway.
“This round is our response to developments on the battlefield where reactive explosive armour has become a major problem for regular munitions trying to defeat armoured vehicles. HEAT 758 is an example of how Saab continues to generate ever more capable products while decreasing the armoured vehicle threat to the operator,” said Michael Höglund, head of Saab’s business unit Ground Combat.
HEAT 758 also integrates Saab’s Firebolt technology, allowing communication between the ammunition round, the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system and the Fire Control Device 558. This integration simplifies the workload for the gunner while significantly improving first-round hit probability.
The Carl-Gustaf system remains one of the world’s most widely used man-portable weapon systems, valued for its versatility and effectiveness in anti-armour, anti-structure and support roles. The addition of HEAT 758 further strengthens the platform’s relevance against evolving armoured threats in modern warfare.
