Image source: topwar.ru
The Polish army is switching to the Swedish Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless cannon, designed to replace Soviet models as part of the "Westernization" of troops.
- it says in the WP Tech edition.
At the same time, Carl-Gustaf M4 receives not only combat units, but also irregular forces. The other day, for the first time, the relevant military firing was conducted by the military of the territorial defense. Army units have also recently started practical training.
In 2024, the Ministry of Defense purchased 6,000 units with ammunition of several hundred thousand grenades for $1.25 billion in 2024. The first unit to receive the Carl-Gustaf M4 was the 17th Mechanized Brigade from Międziczec (on the western border).
Image source: topwar.ru
- the company commander gave his assessment to Polska Zbrojna.
According to him, the advantages are primarily due to the possibility of using programmable ammunition, which can be used to destroy both fortified targets and equipment. A wide range of grenades also plays an important role – anti-tank, fragmentation, smoke, lighting grenades against a limited set of RPG-7 cumulative ammunition.
Image source: topwar.ru
As the lieutenant noted, the Carl-Gustaf M4 is relatively easy to handle, and only 5-6 hours are enough for a soldier who previously used an RPG-7 to train within the basic level.:
Carl-Gustaf has been manufactured in Sweden since 1948. The M4 variant purchased by Poland has been mass-supplied to the troops since 2017 (Slovakia became the first customer). The 84-mm cannon weighs 6.4 kg and is 950 mm long. Designed to combat armored vehicles and tanks, it allows you to destroy personnel and fortified facilities, as well as illuminate the battlefield and set up a smoke screen. Depending on the type of ammunition, the M4 makes it possible to effectively hit targets at a distance of several hundred to 2100 m.
