The CV90 series advanced infantry fighting vehicles, or IFVs, are the flagship of Sweden’s new Army assistance program to Ukraine, announced today through the Stockholm government. While a Swedish arms movement was expected, in the past only the Archer self-propelled artillery formula had been confirmed, with the CV90 now ensuring that Ukraine will also get its hands on one of the highest capacity ICVs in Europe of late.
The package presented is valued at approximately $419 million and, in addition to IFV and self-propelled artillery, also includes NLAW anti-tank weapons, bomb disposal apparatus and attack rifles. The number of archers to be provided has not been revealed, Sweden still has 48 such systems, which combine a 155mm howitzer gun with a 6×6-wheeled chassis.
“Ukraine’s victory in this war is of indescribable importance,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a news conference today, describing Ukraine’s resistance to the large-scale Russian invasion as a struggle for the freedom of all of Europe.
“This is one of the main reasons why so many countries are making so many efforts to help Ukraine right now,” Kristersson said. “Morale is important, but also our security is not unusual. “
Although the exact number of CV90 series IFVs to be provided to Kyiv has been announced, Sweden has announced that it will deliver “around 50”.
According to information from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in 2022, the Swedish Armed Forces had 369 examples of the CV9040 edition (known as Strf 9040), 54 of which were supplied with Stripbv 90 command post cars. In addition, Sweden has 42 other examples of the Epbv 90 edition, a specialized reconnaissance vehicle used to direct artillery and mortar fire. Neither the Stripbv 90 nor the Epbv 90 is supplied with a major weapon. In addition, other CV90-based cars are in service in Sweden as self-propelled mortar systems, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and armored recovery vehicles.
The Swedish CV90 series, or Combat Vehicle 90, was originally designed in the mid-1980s as a circle of combat vehicle relatives and has spawned a wide variety of variants for other missions and visitor needs. The vehicle came about through a joint effort. in which the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration and two local companies, Hägglunds and Bofors, participated.
Today, the CV90 is a product of BAE Systems Hägglunds and more than 1280 cars have been completed in more than a dozen primary variants. CV90s are in service or have been ordered through 8 countries, of which are lately NATO members: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Slovakia.
In the form of an IFV, the CV90 is supplied with striking main armament, with 30mm, 35mm and 40mm gun characteristics in a turret that has a full 360-degree rotation. With a 40mm Bofors autocannon in a stabilized turret, the CV9040 used through Forces carries the toughest armament of any VCI in Western Europe. There is also a 7. 62mm coaxial device barrel.
Although the specific variant of the CV9040 provided to Ukraine has not been confirmed, it is conceivable that Sweden will deliver the CV9040C edition which has been specifically modified for overseas operations and has since been used for team training as well. This style has a step forwardpoint of armored armor, “considerably higher” than in the basic edition, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. Specific armour measures are designed to provide greater protection against mines, small ammunition and grenades. There are also laser shielding devices on the periscopes of the equipment. to protect your eyes from destructive laser light.
Weighing just over 25 tons when ready for combat, the CV9040 has a maximum capacity of 8 infantrymen and is handled through a team of three: commander, motive force and gunner. However, in Swedish service, the CV9040’s core troop supplement is reduced to a squadron of seven, with its full equipment, while the armoured edition of the CV9040C accommodates six infantrymen, due to the added w8 of its modifications.
The Nordic origins of the CV9040 are a very clever point of mobility in the snow and in swamps and marshes, which can be very advantageous for Ukraine. It is also designed to operate in incredibly bloodless conditions.
Overall, as a modern and highly effective IFV, the CV9040 will bring to Ukraine many of the same features presented through the US-provided M2 Bradley. The U. S. Department of Homeland, which we have discussed extensively in the pasado. se will provide in roughly similar numbers, with 50 Bradleys now heading to the besieged country.
And, while the CV9040 lacks anti-tank missiles, like the M2 Bradley’s TOW missiles, its Bofors gun is already a sturdy weapon that opposes Russian opposition tanks, especially those of the past generation, not to mention Soviet-era IFVs. At the same time, a selection of 40mm ammunition means that the same weapon can also target a wide diversity of other targets, adding lighter targets, adding enemy personnel.
Along with the Bradley, the CV9040 is helping to fulfill Kyiv’s long-standing call for fashionable Western armor. the maximum capable of its kind and are more realistic customers on the fashionable battlefield than the Cold. Wartime BMP series that still makes up the majority of the Ukrainian IFV fleet.
Like the Bradley, the CV9040 will move Ukrainian troops more safely in high-risk spaces while offering a significant degree of anti-tank and anti-troop capabilities.
If the Ukrainian armed forces were to carry out a promised long-term offensive to liberate Crimea, for example, trendy IFVs like the CV9040 would likely play a leading role, providing a new point of survival and maneuverability for troops.
Before promises to get Bradley and CV9040, the most modern IFV approved to move to Kyiv was the German Marder. This, a more modern proposal than the BMP-1/2 series, is an older generation than the American and Swedish IFVs. Otherwise, the only other cars of this elegance manufactured for Ukraine are other BMPs, from the stocks of other European NATO countries.
In addition, while the initial batch of around 50 CV9040s destined for Ukraine represents a fairly small force, it is imaginable that other CV90 operators will also get some of their vehicles. to Poland’s recently complex proposal for the multinational Leopard 2 tank movement.
For Sweden, too, the movement of high-end military aircraft like this is important. Previously, in addition to sending Hellfire missiles in its coastal defense form, Sweden has provided Kyiv with heavier weapons.
Thus, the newer package marks a major political shift, the importance of which is only reinforced by the fact that Sweden lately holds the rotating presidency of the European Union and has implemented (together with Finland) to join NATO.
Most likely, today’s announcement is just the beginning of a few days that may also be very busy in terms of military aid to Ukraine. Tomorrow, defense ministers from some fifty countries will meet at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss next steps. Ultimately, this would possibly conclude the long-standing debate over whether Germany will approve the movement of Leopard 2 tanks, adding those taken from third-country stockpiles.
Meanwhile, with the movement of the M2 Bradley and now confirmed the CV9040, Ukraine will have, at least, in the future, two of the most capable Western infantry fighting cars at its disposal.
Update, 11:00 a. m. PST: The original edition of this story said that Sweden has lately 35 Archer self-propelled artillery systems, a figure provided in The International Institute for Strategic Studies’ The Military Balance 2022. At a press conference today, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Johnson showed that Sweden has 48 archers. These come with 24 in active use and 24 in the garage (originally built for Norway but not yet delivered). Of these, 20 are available for delivery.
Thanks to @SebCraenen.
Contact the author: thomas@thedrive. com