Image: SAAB
Swedish defence firm Saab has introduced a new anti-tank ammunition round designed to defeat heavily armoured vehicles protected by Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), demonstrating the weapon at a live-fire event in Karlskoga, Sweden, this May.
The round, designated HEAT 758, was unveiled before an undisclosed customer during the demonstration. It represents Saab’s direct response to the growing prevalence of ERA-equipped vehicles on modern battlefields.
Tandem Warhead Defeats Layered Protection
HEAT 758 employs a tandem warhead configuration to overcome ERA, a protection system that has increasingly frustrated conventional anti-armour munitions. The first charge detonates the ERA layer on the vehicle’s exterior, clearing the way for the main charge to strike the base armour beneath.
That main charge can defeat up to 700mm of rolled homogeneous armour equivalent, sufficient to penetrate the heaviest armoured vehicles currently in service.
Michael Höglund, head of Saab’s Ground Combat business unit, explained the rationale behind the development. “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,” he said. “HEAT 758 is an example of how Saab continues to generate ever more capable products while decreasing the armoured vehicle threat to the operator.”
Firebolt Integration Reduces Gunner Workload
The new round integrates with Saab’s proprietary Firebolt technology, enabling direct communication between the ammunition, the Carl-Gustaf M4 launcher, and the Fire Control Device 558 targeting system. This digital link streamlines the engagement process, reducing the cognitive burden on the gunner and improving the probability of a first-round hit.
The Carl-Gustaf system, a recoilless rifle in service with dozens of militaries worldwide, has long been valued for its versatility and portability. The addition of a smart, ERA-defeating round extends that versatility into higher-threat environments.
Production Underway
According to Saab, at least one customer has already placed an order for HEAT 758, with production now underway. Saab has not disclosed the identity of the purchasing nation.
The timing of the launch reflects broader trends in land warfare. ERA systems, once largely associated with Russian main battle tanks, have proliferated across a wider range of armoured platforms globally. Recent conflicts, most notably in Ukraine, have underscored the challenge ERA poses to infantry-carried anti-armour weapons, driving demand for more capable solutions.
HEAT 758 positions Saab to address that gap directly, offering dismounted forces a man-portable option capable of defeating vehicles that would otherwise require heavier or crew-served systems to engage effectively.
You can read more on the SAAB Website
