India selects Saab's AT4 as its new single-shot weapon

The AT4 platform (mock-ups in picture) will enhance the Indian Armed Forces' urban warfare capabilities. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski)

The Indian Armed Forces have selected Saab's AT4 as their new single-shot weapon.

Saab has been awarded a contract for providing AT4 single-shot support weapons to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, the company announced on 20 January. The AT4 was selected by the Indian Armed Forces following a competitive programme.

The Indian Armed Forces already operate Saab's Carl-Gustaf multi‐purpose weapon system.

The contract for the delivery of these weapons was signed by FFV Ordnance AB, which is the organisation responsible for Saab's offer in India.

The AT4 is an 84 mm unguided anti-armour weapon manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. It is designed to be effective against tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopters, aircraft, and armoured vehicles.

Saab said it will also supply the Indian Armed Forces with the AT4CS AST variant.

According to Janes Weapons: Infantry , the CS stands for confined space, which means that the weapon can be fired from confined spaces as small as 22.5 mᶟ. This is possible because the AT4CS uses the counter-mass principle involving liquid that cools the gasses ejected from the rear. The weapon can be carried and operated by a single user, fighting on foot.

The AT4 can fire different projectiles, including: HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank); AST (anti-structure and breaching tandem-warheads); ER (anti-armour extended range); HE (high explosive); HP (high performance, higher penetration of more than 500 mm of rolled homogenous armour [RHA]); and RS (reduced sensitivity, anti-tank warhead for urban or jungle combat).