Saab, U.S. Special Operations Command sign new deal for recoilless rifle

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- A new framework deal for acquisition of Saab's Carl-Gustaf man-portable recoilless rifle has been signed by the company and the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Under the agreement -- a follow-on to an earlier contract -- USSOCOM is able to place orders for the 84mm weapon over a five-year period up to a total value of $187 million.

An initial order worth $14.3 million dollars was issued by USSOCOM with the contract signing.

"This is another great milestone for Saab and the Carl-Gustaf system," said Gorgen Johansson, senior vice president and head of Saab's Dynamics business area. "This new order demonstrates the continued belief by the customer in the capabilities and versatility of our product as well as its future potential."

"The Carl-Gustaf has repeatedly proven itself in the most demanding environments and it is a versatile, powerful tool for the soldier. The fact that the system is also being fielded to U.S. Army light infantry combat teams speaks for itself," added Lars Borgwing, president and chief executive officer of Saab Defense and Security USA.

The Carl-Gustaf is known to the U.S. military as the Multi-role, Anti-armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System, or MAAWS. It weighs 19 pounds and can fire as many as six rounds per minute.