Article Posted on : - Nov 22, 2011

M3 Carl Gustav gun. Photo: SAAB

SYDNEY (BNS): Australian Defence Force has received 437 new Carl Gustav 84 mm guns and thermal sights from Saab Dynamics AB, the Defence ministry announced Monday.

The agreement is a Standing Offer to supply the ammunition over the next five years to the Australian Defence Force and has a potential value of up to $110 million.

"The 437 new guns are the improved M3 model and will supplement the existing M2 Carl Gustav gun," Minister for Defence Materiel said.

They are being used by Special Forces and Mentoring Taskforce 3 (MTF-3) in Afghanistan and have also been delivered to other Army units and the Air Force.

"MTF-3 was the first Mentoring Taskforce to be deployed with the new weapon. It is used to knock down walls and blow up bunkers. It can also fire smoke filled ammunition and lights to improve soldiers visibility at night," he said.

"Both the gun and sight are proven capabilities but Australia is the first country to use both as an integrated weapon system. The new gun combined with the thermal sight provides increased firepower and a night fighting capability. The gun barrel is made from composite materials instead of steel which also makes the weapon lighter for soldiers to carry," he added.

Mr Clare also announced that the supply of ammunition for the 84 mm Carl Gustav weapon has been secured with the signing of a long term agreement between Defence and Saab Dynamics AB.