Ukraine negotiates with Sweden for acquisition and local production of advanced combat vehicle CV90

The report from Defense Express reveals that Ukraine's Ministry of Defense recently hosted a meeting with the Swedish Defense Material Agency and the Ministry of Strategic and Industry Production. The key points of discussion were the financial terms and Ukraine's obligations around the acquisition of the first batch of the Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) CV90, and the matter of licensed production in Ukraine.

This plan follows the cooperation agreement signed on 15 June 2023 for acquiring and operating tracked IFVs between Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, which also went with the BWP CV90. Ukraine has shown interest in acquiring up to 1,000 units, indicating that the fulfilment of the order could stretch over several years.

Ukraine intends to order the CV90 MkIV version, which is the only one currently in production. This is the newest edition of the Swedish infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) Stridsfordon 90/Strf 90, launched in the 1990s under the export name of CV90, signifying Combat Vehicle 90.

The design's significant success has allowed it to reach the armed forces of various countries, including Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In addition, Ukraine has obtained over 50 Strf 9040C vehicles from Sweden, a few of which can utilise highly lethal programmable ammunition.

Featuring a tracked design, the CV90 weighs in at 38 tonnes with the additional armour package, heavier than a typical infantry fighting vehicle and nearly the same as a T-72 tank. However, it provides good protection for a three-person crew and up to eight transported infantry soldiers.

The basic model offers all-around protection at level IV of the STANAG 4569 standard (anti-armour ammo 14.5x114 mm), and its front can withstand fire from 30 mm automatic cannons (level VI). The addition of a ceramic armour package further enhances the protection level from the sides to level VI and even higher from the front.

Furthermore, there is an option to use the Saab's active defence system LEDS-150, which intercepts incoming anti-tank projectiles, similar to the Israeli Trophy. In terms of mobility, the vehicle has a diesel engine capable of producing 1,000 horsepower, allowing a top speed of roughly 70 km/h or 43 mph.

The CV90 is also impressively equipped, given its numerous foreign orders resulting in many different versions. The original Swedish model is fitted with a 40 mm calibre cannon in a manned turret, which offers outstanding anti-tank capabilities, albeit powered by replaceable magazines. While this limits the rate of fire and requires crew intervention, automatic cannons of either 30 mm or 35 mm are available in unmanned turrets, fed by double-sided ammo belts for a modern, flexible solution.

Specialised variants for tank destruction are equipped with 105 mm and 120 mm calibre guns or 120 mm calibre mortars. Further firepower features include a range of diverse anti-tank weapons such as the fire-and-forget Spike-LR or Akeron MP, with a firing range of approximately 4-5 kilometres. The operator only needs to expose the vehicle briefly to the enemy in order to fire, before quickly retreating to safety. Efforts are ongoing to improve shooting at targets identified, for example, by allied drones.

Though it is not yet known which configuration Ukraine will opt for, it will undoubtedly be a considerable upgrade from the Soviet BMP1/2 and even perform better than the formidable M2A2 Bradley ODS.