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Convoy of Swedish Pbv 302 Armored Vehicles Spotted in Czech Republic on Route to Ukraine.
A convoy carrying Swedish Pbv 302 armored personnel carriers (APCs) was seen in the Czech Republic, marking the anticipated arrival of these vehicles in support of Ukraine's defense. Sweden had previously confirmed its commitment to transferring the Pbv 302s to strengthen Ukrainian defense capabilities.
The Pbv 302 is a Swedish armored personnel carrier. (Picture source: Social Media)
A video shared on the social network X shows the convoy passing through the Usti nad Labem station, confirming its transit through the country. This deployment aligns with Sweden’s announcement last May, confirming that all Pbv 302 vehicles would be transferred to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are forming several new brigades, which require an increased supply of armored vehicles.
In addition to the APCs, Sweden also provides spare parts, maintenance equipment, and ammunition to ensure their full operational capacity. The Swedish government acknowledged that this contribution would temporarily reduce its defense capabilities, prompting the Ministry of Defense to procure new armored vehicles as replacements. Additionally, Sweden has planned to supply fuel and other resources to support the previously donated equipment.
The Pbv 302 is a Swedish armored personnel carrier designed in the 1960s by Hägglund & Söner and introduced into the Swedish armed forces in 1966. Intended to serve as the primary APC, it fulfilled this role until it was retired from service in 2014. The complete transfer of 239 units to Ukraine, as part of Sweden's 16th defense aid package, marks a pivotal moment in Sweden's commitment to bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The Pbv 302 is equipped with a single-seat turret mounted at the front left of the chassis and armed with a 20-mm HS804 automatic cannon, providing it with effective defense capabilities. Its distinctive design, with the engine and transmission located beneath the floor, allows for optimized interior space, facilitating troop transport. The driver's position is centrally located at the front, flanked by seats for the commander and gunner, while the rear is configured to accommodate up to eight infantrymen. Powered by a 280-horsepower Volvo-Penta engine, the Pbv 302 can reach a maximum speed of 66 km/h on land and can move through water at 7.5 km/h.
Between 1965 and 1972, a total of 647 Pbv 302 units were produced, including 518 infantry combat versions and 129 specialized versions, such as command posts, artillery observation vehicles, ambulances, and recovery vehicles. The various versions, like the Pbv 302A, Pbv 302B with enhanced protection, and Pbv 302C with upgraded engine and suspension, demonstrate the vehicle’s adaptability and evolution over the years. In addition to these vehicles, Sweden will provide Ukraine with spare parts, maintenance equipment, ammunition, and tanker trucks to support the new Ukrainian brigades, underscoring its continued commitment to regional stability and Ukrainian defense efforts.
In August, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense approved the delivery of the Pbv 302, noting that, although primarily designed as an APC, it could be adapted to serve a role similar to that of an infantry fighting vehicle within Ukraine’s Defense Forces.