Ukraine and Sweden reach agreement on Swedish-made CV90 IFVs.

Ukraine and Sweden have reached an agreement for a batch of Swedish-made CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. This announcement follows the Swedish government's authorization in January 2024 to prepare an agreement to supply Ukraine with CV90 IFVs.
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The CV90 Mk IV represents the latest, fifth-generation model within the CV90 family, a line of tracked armored combat vehicles originating from Sweden (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The announcement was made after a meeting in Kyiv, attended by officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration. No details were provided regarding the financial terms and Ukraine's obligations in participating in the project, although the average price of a CV90 is around $9 million.

Dmytro Klimenkov, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude towards Sweden for its unwavering support during the conflict and for the fruitful cooperation between the two nations. He stated that the agreement would allow not only a one-time supply of weapons but also extensive cooperation in the defense industry, including the future localization of production in Ukraine.

In February 2023, the Swedish government allocated one of its largest military aid packages to Ukraine, which for the first time included CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. The Swedish MoD, Paul Johnson, announced in December 2023 that 50 CV90C IFVs had already been sent to Ukraine, mostly vehicles previously used by Swedish troops in Liberia and Afghanistan. The 9040C version offers a higher level of protection compared to the standard CV90.

The CV-90 coalition, initiated by Sweden and including Denmark, Estonia, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Finland, and the Czech Republic, was joined by Ukraine in September 2023. This initiative falls within the framework of the Statement of Intent between the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Sweden to enhance cooperation in the use of the CV-90 platform. In August, Ukraine and Sweden declared their intention to jointly produce CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine, with Ukraine expressing interest in purchasing up to 1,000 of these IFVs. At the same time, Denmark allocated 1.8 billion Danish kroner (about $264 million) to help finance the Swedish initiative to provide Ukraine with CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

The CV90 (Combat Vehicle 90) is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) developed by Sweden in the 1980s. Production of the CV90 began in 1993, and it entered service in the Swedish Army in the same year. Designed to meet the specific requirements of the Swedish Army, the CV90 was developed to combine high mobility, substantial firepower, and effective protection against battlefield threats.

The CV90 is known for its ability to operate in extreme climate conditions, from Arctic cold to hot desert climates. It is equipped with a 40mm Bofors main cannon and can carry up to 8 soldiers in addition to the crew. Over the years, the CV90 has been continuously improved and modernized, resulting in several variants adapted to different battlefield roles, including reconnaissance, command, and anti-air support. The CV90 is used by several countries besides Sweden, such as Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia, demonstrating its adaptability and performance as a leading IFV.

Recent orders of the CV90 have been placed by Slovakia, which purchased 152 vehicles for $1.37 billion, and by the Czech Republic, which acquired 246 vehicles for $2.2 billion.

Defense News February 2024