Saab’s COO Tapan Bhatnagar told the NDTV Defence Summit 2026 that the Swedish defence firm will integrate Indian suppliers into its global supply chain, starting with a new Carl Gustaf M4 plant in Jhajjar, Haryana. The decision follows India’s recent certification as a capable producer of complex defence systems.
The Carl Gustaf M4, a shoulder‑launched weapon the Indian Army has used for 52 years, will be manufactured for the first time outside Sweden under Saab’s licence. This marks a milestone in India's push for indigenous armaments.
Bhatnagar stressed that Indian companies should not only assemble parts but also contribute design improvements, mirroring the collaborative model Saab uses with its Swedish partners. Swedish engineers routinely propose new techniques that Saab quickly adopts.
The Jhajjar facility will also train Indian engineers, aiming to close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing. Local worker Ajay Kumar, 34, will oversee the M4 assembly line.
Saab has already signed agreements with three Indian firms—Rohit Defence, Bharat Dynamics, and L&T Defence—to supply key components, and it expects the integration to cut lead times by 30%.
The first production run is slated for March 2027, after which Saab plans to supply the M4 to other Indian states.