Estonia to modernize its CV90 tracked armored IFVs with Protector RS4 Remote Weapon Station.

According to information released on December 17, 2021, Estonia recently acquired the PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Station (RSW) variant from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), as part of their CV90 upgrade program, and is with that the 28th nation to join the PROTECTOR RWS user community.
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Estonian army CV90 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Picture source Estonia MoD)

The Estonian CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles were acquired from the Netherlands back in 2016 to broaden the capabilities of the Estonian Armed Forces. Earlier this year, Go Craft and Scania Estonia were awarded the contract for a modernization and upgrade program that will run over the next two years. To meet future roles, the refurbished CV90 vehicles will be equipped with the PROTECTOR RS4 from KONGSBERG.

The PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) is a highly flexible system designed for small and medium caliber weapons including mounting of coaxial weapons and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. An advanced and modular sensor suite enables unique and tailorable situational awareness. The fully stabilized 2 + 2 Axis system enables the gunner to keep his sights on target, independent of ballistic solution for the weapon and ammunition in use.

The PROTECTOR RS4 RWS is a mature and proven product based on millions of hours of operational experience in combat zones and close cooperation with Defence Forces worldwide.

The PROTECTOR RS4 RWS variant that Estonia has acquired includes the capability to fire the #Raytheon #Lockheed Martin Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The Javelin is developed in a Joint Venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin and is the world’s premier one-person-portable anti-armor missile. Javelin is a highly capable fire-and-forget missile defending against emerging near-equal threats. Integrated with the PROTECTOR RS4, the Javelin is extended to a remote-fired platform-based capability.

The combined KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RWS-Javelin system has already demonstrated itself as an accurate and reliable solution. Several successful live-fire demonstrations in Europe and USA have proven great capability on a wide range of platforms, ranging from smaller robotic vehicles to armored 8x8 platforms.

The PROTECTOR family of Remote Weapon Systems is suitable for any mission - on land or at sea, on mobile or static platforms. They can integrate effectors for remote operation of payloads ranging from small caliber weapons to medium caliber automatic cannons. The PROTECTOR RWSs are continuously evolving to defeat future threats and meet the customer’s operational requirements.

PROTECTOR RWSs have an unprecedented Operational Readiness Rate of 99% and low life cycle costs. More than 20,000 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems have been produced to date and by adding Estonia to the list, the total number of 28 nations have acquired systems from the PROTECTOR RWS family.

Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Station. (Picture source Kongsberg)

Defense News December 2021