U.S. orders recoilless rifle ammunition

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Ammunition for 84mm Swedish recoilless rifles used by U.S. forces is to be supplied by Saab, the company said.

The order for ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf M4 system was issued by U.S. Special Operations Command. No information on the monetary value of the order was disclosed.

"This order demonstrates the continued confidence of our customer in the capabilities and versatility of the Carl-Gustaf," said Torbjorn Saxmo, head of Saab's Ground Combat business unit. "The system gives soldiers a battle-winning edge through its high accuracy, supreme effectiveness and great versatility."

The Carl-Gustaf M4 is the latest shoulder-launched version of the recoilless rifle which made its first appearance in 1948 as an anti-armor weapon. Today it is a multi-role weapon and handles a variety of ammunition types.

Saab said the ammunition order comes under the terms of its 2014 contract with USSOCOM for the recoilless rifle system.

The ammunition will be delivered this year and next year.