Saab's New HEAT 758 Round Aims to Defeat Modern Tank Armor

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – May 07, 2026 – Swedish defense giant Saab has unveiled a significant upgrade to its venerable Carl-Gustaf weapon system, launching a new anti-tank round designed to defeat the most advanced armor on the modern battlefield. The new ammunition, designated HEAT 758, was demonstrated during a live-fire event in Karlskoga, Sweden, showcasing its ability to neutralize heavily armored vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).

The announcement comes at a time of heightened global tensions and renewed focus on conventional warfare capabilities. With an undisclosed customer already placing an order and production underway, the HEAT 758 marks a critical evolution for the infantry-carried weapon, aiming to restore the balance between anti-tank systems and the ever-improving defenses of main battle tanks.

The Reactive Armor Challenge

The development of the HEAT 758 is a direct response to a battlefield reality that has challenged infantry for decades: the proliferation of Explosive Reactive Armour. ERA consists of explosive-filled bricks mounted on a tank's exterior. When struck by an incoming projectile, such as a traditional High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) round, the brick detonates outward. This explosion disrupts the molten metal jet formed by the HEAT warhead, significantly degrading its ability to penetrate the vehicle's primary steel armor.

First-generation systems like Russia's Kontakt-1 proved effective, leading to the development of more sophisticated "heavy" ERA, such as Kontakt-5 and Relikt. These advanced generations are not only more effective against shaped charges but can also offer some protection against kinetic energy penetrators—the high-velocity darts fired by tank main guns. The widespread use of these systems on tanks seen in recent conflicts has rendered many older anti-tank weapons obsolete, forcing soldiers to target weaker points or fire multiple rounds at a single target, increasing their exposure to counter-fire.

This escalating arms race between armor and anti-armor munitions has created an urgent need for infantry weapon systems that can reliably defeat ERA-protected targets on the first shot.

A Tandem Warhead Solution

Saab's answer to the ERA problem is the HEAT 758's tandem warhead design. This sophisticated "two-punch" approach is engineered to overcome modern vehicle protection systems. When the round strikes a target, a small precursor charge in the nose detonates first. Its sole purpose is to neutralize the ERA block, clearing a path for the main event.

Milliseconds later, the main shaped charge detonates. Unimpeded by the reactive armor, it unleashes a focused jet of molten metal capable of penetrating up to 700mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). This level of penetration is sufficient to defeat the main armor of even the heaviest contemporary battle tanks after the ERA has been dealt with.

"This round is our response of developments of the battlefield where reactive explosive armour has become a major problem for regular munitions trying to defeat armoured vehicles," stated Michael Höglund, head of Saab's business unit Ground Combat, in the official announcement. "HEAT 758 is an example of how Saab continues to generate ever more capable products while decreasing the armoured vehicle threat to the operator."

Smarter, Not Just Stronger: The 'Firebolt' Advantage

Beyond its raw penetrating power, the HEAT 758 incorporates intelligent technology that significantly enhances its effectiveness. The round is equipped with Saab's 'Firebolt' communication protocol, a key feature of the latest Carl-Gustaf M4 system. This technology allows for a two-way digital link between the ammunition itself, the Carl-Gustaf M4 launcher, and the advanced Fire Control Device 558 (FCD 558).

When a gunner loads a HEAT 758 round, it automatically transmits its type and propellant temperature data to the FCD 558. The sight then combines this information with the target's range—acquired via a built-in laser rangefinder—and ambient environmental data to instantly calculate the precise aiming solution. The gunner simply places the red dot on the target and fires.

This seamless integration dramatically simplifies the gunner's workload, eliminating the need for manual range estimation or ballistic adjustments under the immense pressure of combat. The result is a substantial increase in first-round hit probability, a critical factor when facing a lethal armored threat. This "smart" ecosystem transforms the Carl-Gustaf from a simple recoilless rifle into a highly precise, integrated weapon system, giving dismounted infantry a decisive edge.

Strategic Impact in a Volatile World

The launch of the HEAT 758 is strategically timed. Global defense spending is surging, reaching a record $2.3 trillion in 2024 as nations re-arm in response to conflicts in Ukraine and other global hotspots. These conflicts have underscored both the enduring importance of the main battle tank and the critical need for infantry to have effective, portable countermeasures.

The market for man-portable anti-tank systems is projected to grow significantly, driven by military modernization programs and the demand for weapons suitable for both conventional and asymmetric warfare. By providing a reliable solution to the ERA problem, Saab solidifies the Carl-Gustaf's position as a premier multi-role infantry weapon for its more than 40 user nations.

The fact that an unnamed customer has already signed on for the HEAT 758—with production already in motion—speaks volumes about the perceived urgency and demand for this capability. While Saab remains silent on the buyer's identity, major Carl-Gustaf users like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Eastern European NATO allies such as Poland are all heavily invested in modernizing their ground forces to counter sophisticated armored threats. For these nations, a round that guarantees the effectiveness of their infantry against the latest tanks is not a luxury, but a battlefield necessity.