KARLSKOGA, Sweden — May 7, 2026 : Swedish defence manufacturer Saab has officially unveiled its new HEAT 758 anti-tank munition for the Carl-Gustaf M4 during a live-fire demonstration at the Bofors Test Center in Karlskoga, Sweden.
The launch event brought together approximately 150 military officials, defence representatives, and international customers from 25 countries, including officers from the Ukrainian military. Saab used the demonstration to present the operational capabilities of the new 84 mm round against modern armoured threats protected by Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).
The HEAT 758, or High Explosive Anti-Tank 758, has been developed as the successor to the combat-proven HEAT 751 round and is intended to provide infantry forces with increased anti-armour capability while maintaining compatibility with the Carl-Gustaf M4 launcher. Saab confirmed that production of the munition is already underway following a finalized supply contract with an undisclosed customer.
Designed to Counter Modern Reactive Armour
According to Saab, the HEAT 758 was developed in response to the increasing use of ERA systems on modern main battle tanks and armoured vehicles. ERA consists of externally mounted explosive blocks designed to detonate when struck by anti-tank munitions, disrupting the shaped-charge penetration jet and reducing the effectiveness of conventional warheads.
To address this challenge, Saab equipped the HEAT 758 with an advanced tandem warhead configuration capable of defeating heavily protected armour systems. The company stated that the new round can penetrate up to 700 millimetres of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) equivalent behind ERA protection, representing an increase of approximately 200 millimetres compared to the earlier HEAT 751 munition.
The round has an effective engagement range of up to 600 metres and uses rocket-assisted propulsion to increase the distance between the operator and the target during engagements. Saab also reduced the overall weight of the munition to approximately 3.7 kilograms in order to lessen the load carried by infantry personnel while increasing lethality and operational flexibility.
Michael Höglund, Head of Saab’s Ground Combat business unit, stated that the munition was designed specifically to respond to evolving battlefield conditions.
“This round is our response to developments on the battlefield where reactive explosive armour has become a major problem for regular munitions trying to defeat armoured vehicles,” Höglund said during the demonstration.
Non-Initiating Precursor Technology
A key feature of the HEAT 758 is Saab’s newly developed Non-Initiating Precursor (NIP) technology, which was designed to improve effectiveness against multiple generations of reactive armour systems.
Traditional tandem warheads generally function by detonating the ERA layer with a precursor charge before the main shaped charge penetrates the base armour. Saab stated that this process can generate debris and ballistic residue that may interfere with penetration performance.
The HEAT 758 instead employs a precursor element designed to physically pierce the ERA block without triggering its explosive reaction. According to Saab, this creates a clean channel through the reactive armour, allowing the primary shaped charge to strike the vehicle’s underlying armour structure with maximum penetration efficiency.
The company stated that the system was developed using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Saab engineers reportedly conducted more than 50,000 computer simulations to refine the tandem warhead design and optimise penetration performance against modern armour systems.
Saab added that the HEAT 758 is effective against several generations of ERA protection, including Kontakt-1, Kontakt-5, and Relikt systems. The company stated that the munition eliminates the need for operators to identify the specific ERA configuration mounted on a target vehicle before engagement.
Integration With Firebolt Digital System
The HEAT 758 is fully integrated with Saab’s proprietary Firebolt digital communication architecture, which is being introduced across the Carl-Gustaf ammunition family.
The Firebolt system enables bidirectional communication between the munition, the launcher, and the Fire Control Device 558 (FCD 558). Once loaded into the launcher, the HEAT 758 automatically transmits ammunition-specific information, including charge characteristics and propellant temperature, to the fire-control system.
The FCD 558 then combines this data with external environmental factors such as target range, ambient air temperature, and atmospheric pressure to generate an automatic firing solution.
According to Saab, the automated ballistic process reduces the need for manual calculations by the operator, lowers cognitive workload during combat operations, and improves first-round hit probability during engagements.
“HEAT 758 is an example of how Saab continues to generate ever more capable products while decreasing the armoured vehicle threat to the operator,” Höglund added.
Expanding the Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Family
Saab stated that the HEAT 758 is the second munition in the Carl-Gustaf ammunition family to be designed specifically for the Firebolt programmable system from the outset. The company noted that the broader Carl-Gustaf ammunition portfolio is gradually transitioning toward full Firebolt compatibility.
The Carl-Gustaf remains one of the most widely used man-portable recoilless rifle systems in service globally and is currently operated by armed forces in more than 40 countries.
With the introduction of the HEAT 758, Saab aims to provide infantry units with enhanced capability against heavily protected armoured vehicles while improving operational effectiveness, engagement accuracy, and survivability on modern battlefields.
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