Czech Republic signs agreement to purchase 210 CV90 IFVs from Sweden.

Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, the Swedish government armaments agency FMV and the Swedish CV9035 IFV/BVP manufacturer BAE Systems signed a joint memorandum of understanding on December 21. The document confirms the agreement of all three parties on the basic parameters regarding the acquisition of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
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The Czech army will receive Swedish CV9035 IFVs (Picture source: BAE Systems)

At the same time, all parties agreed that they will now make every effort to ensure that the existing cooperation results in the signing of a contract for the procurement of BVP/IFV for the Czech army. According to the memorandum, the Czech Republic and Sweden are to conclude it by May 31, 2023. Slovakia will not only receive 210 vehicles in seven variants according to the operational needs of the Slovak army (AČR), but will also receive related services, including military training for commanders, operators and technicians, and the cooperation of the defense industries of both of states. The CV90 supply contract will also include specific parameters of the infantry fighting vehicle. The agreement also lays out the possibility of future collaboration between the two nations on the development of upgrades, new technology and ongoing support for the CV90.

"The purchase price, which will not exceed CZK 51,684 billion (including VAT) and information on deliveries, is also set in the memorandum. The involvement of the Czech defense industry is also important: this will account for at least 40 percent of the total costs of acquiring BVP", added Koudelka, adding that vehicle maintenance is expected to be carried out on the territory of the Czech Republic, which should be completely carried out by Czech companies, including the state-owned company VOP CZ. The memorandum contains an arrangement according to which the service contract will be negotiated separately.

Under the proposed agreement, the Czech Army will receive the newest iteration of the CV90, known as the CV90MkIV, with the latest advanced capabilities and digital technology. The vehicle combines improved battlefield speed and handling with an upgraded electronic architecture to support future growth and meet the needs of the evolving battlefield.

“We are very pleased with the progress we have made in our discussions with the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Sweden,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, president of BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, which designs and produces the CV90. “We look forward to concluding contract negotiations in the new year, with the commitment to supporting the Czech Armed Forces in enhancing their defense and combat capabilities with the modern, combat-proven CV90”.

The government decided in mid-July to start negotiations on the acquisition of Swedish CV90 IFVs from BAE Systems through an intergovernmental agreement. The Czech Republic started negotiations with Sweden (government agency FMV and vehicle manufacturer BAE Systems) at the beginning of September. Negotiations are ongoing and two dozen have already taken place. In addition, at the end of August, the Czech Republic and Slovakia concluded a declaration according to which they will cooperate in the purchase of the CV90. If the same vehicles were purchased by both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it would lead to a discount for both countries. Slovakia signed a contract for the delivery of 152 CV90 IFVs a few days ago.

The Czech army requires 210 vehicles in seven variants: combat, command, reconnaissance, engineering, rescue, medical and artillery observation. The Czech Republic will become the ninth member of the CV90 User Club – which includes countries that have CV90s in service with their armed forces. The User Club already consists of eight countries, five of them members of NATO: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, as well as the newest member, Slovakia.

Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, the Swedish government armaments agency FMV and the Swedish BVP manufacturer BAE Systems signed a joint memorandum of understanding (Picture source: Jan Schejbal)