France has selected Saab’s next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW), adding a combat-proven missile system to its infantry arsenal.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2026 and 2030.
Beyond the missiles, the contract includes indoor and outdoor training systems designed to support operator instruction. Saab added that the agreement also contains options that could allow Paris to acquire additional NLAW weapons in the future.
NLAW is a shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon designed to engage armored vehicles at short ranges. Unlike larger anti-tank missile systems that require extensive training and setup, NLAW is intended to give individual soldiers the ability to quickly engage tanks and other armored targets.
According to Saab, the weapon’s guidance system allows operators to fire from covered positions, including from inside buildings, making it particularly suited for urban combat environments.
NLAW in Ukraine
NLAW has gained prominence in recent years through its operational use in Ukraine, where anti-tank missiles played a significant role in countering armored advances during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Open-source reporting from Oryx has documented significant Russian armored losses during the conflict, including thousands of tanks and other vehicles.
In 2022, the UK announced a 1-billion-pound ($1.2-billion) military aid package for Ukraine that included more than 5,000 NLAW missiles.
However, a 2025 report by The Telegraph noted concerns from some British defense officials about Ukrainian use of advanced Western systems, including instances where NLAWs were reportedly employed more like unguided rocket-propelled grenades than precision anti-tank weapons.
