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Stridsvagn 81 / 101 (strv 81 / 101) Centurion

Centurion is a British tank developed during World War II. It began shipping at the end of the war but did not in combat. The forward-thinking design was well-suited for upgrade and modernization which was a major factor for the model's longevity. The trailer was purchased by many countries and became one of the most common tank models around the world. Centurion was part of the Swedish armed forces from 1953 until it gradually replaced by German Leopard 2 ( Strv 121 and Strv 122 ). The last was taken out of service in 2000. Centurion used as late as the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, but then in the highly modified versions.

Right after World War II, it was clear that the variegated Swedish tank park was outdated. Royal army administration (QAC) investigation showed that the most cost effective substitute were British Centurion Mk III, which could be upgraded in the future. Britain was not ready to deliver such before their needs were covered, which was estimated to take five to fifteen years. Therefore Sweden tested including the French AMX-13 , but the Supreme Commander General Nils Swedlund , would rather have a tank with heavier armor to cope with the threat of tactical nuclear weapons why projects KRV began.

In December 1952 the UK view changed because of the state financial straits and in the beginning of the year 1952/1953 decided Defense Minister Torsten Nilsson to buy Centurion, with both KAF and army chief General Carl August Ehrensvärd ignored. General Ehrensvärd had been critical of the Centurion and claimed that it was "well heavy for Swedish conditions and expensive, even in operation."

An order for eighty Centurion Mk III was laid in January 1953. The first arrived in Sweden the 2 May 1953 directly from the British mob storage. The tanks stationed at the Scanian Dragoon Regiment (P 2) with the designation Strv 81. (The number 81 indicates that it was the first Swedish tank cannon caliber of 80 mm.) In 1955 bought 160 Centurion Mark V to upgrade armored brigades. These chariots formed the core of armored brigades to the beginning of the 1960s .

In 1958 it was decided to purchase 110 Centurion Mk X with a 10.5 cm gun. It received Swedish designation strv 101.

During 1964-1966, all built Centurion Mark III and V, and got the same 10.5 cm piece strv 101. Therefore, they received the new designation strv 102.

In 1980 the Army decided to initiate the scrapping of Centurionvagnarna in order to replace them with a new Swedish-made anti-tank, Tank 2000. This was changed in connection with the defense in 1982 in anticipation of the new tanks.

Instead, conducted between 1983 and 1987 "tower-REMO" (turret renovation and modification) where the target machine got new gyros, dressing tools and electronics parts for increased precision, new fire control system with laser rangefinder and target computer, night combat equipment, including 71mm Lyre lyskastare and thermal protection of the barrel, exhaust pipes and silencer. Additionally strengthened frontpansaret on strv 102 to get the same protection as strv 101. Finally got all the carriages, among the first in the world, reactive armor from FFV Ordnance protection against armor piercing explosive shells . Simultaneously with REMO got 80 pieces strv 102 Moreover, a new engine package consisting of a Continental diesel engine and an automatic transmission from Allison. These carts with much greater mobility and easier maintenance was designated strv 104. Before it became clear that the purchase of strv 122 would be complemented with the simpler strv 121 was the prototype ready for one last upgrade of the Centurion in the form of strv 105, but this was shelved when Leopard began shipping.

In addition to the tanks of the regular troops have been a number of other vehicles existed. There were lots of experiments with Centurionstridsvagnen. The sample was including as antitank missile vehicles, broläggare and bulldozer. In the mid-1980s procured thirty copies of the Soviet minvälten KMT-4, which meant that some centurions had to assume the role of deminers.

In the early 1990s, 16 used centurions Mk 7 in mint condition were purchased from Switzerland (à 10,000 SFr) to be used in the analysis of safety and efficacy. These stationed mainly at FMV in Karlsborg. During the testing of the Swedish-developed ballistic protection to Strv 122 revealed the need for a mobile 12cm cannon, so the solution was to squeeze into a 12cm L44: nd one of the test cars. The Centurion is still in use (2009) as the sliding rig and is probably the world's only Centurion with such heavy weaponry.

Variants

1. Strv 81 - 80 pieces Mk III (live 1953) and 160 pieces Mk V (live 1955) with 84mm cannon and instrumentation in English units. Screw Thread in non-NATO standards.
2. Strv 101 - 110 pcs carriages of the type Centurion Mk X with gyro-stabilized 10.5 cm cannon, better front armor (120 mm armor steel instead of 76mm), fuel tanks increased from 540 to 1000 liters, the floors in the tower, the screw thread of NATO standards and instrumentation in metric units was delivered 1959-1960. The Swedish designation was Strv 101 when it was the first tank with the caliber of 10 cm.
3. Strv 102 - During the period 1964-1966 ombeväpnades all 240 Strv 81 by 10.5 cm cannon, equipped with two R 421 and given the designation Strv 102.
4. Strv 101R - Tank 101 underwent in the early 1980s REMO and was granted the R
5. Strv 102R - Tank 102 underwent in the early 1980s REMO and was granted the R SPC extra armor to reach the same protection as strv 101, and reactive armor with increased protection.
6. Strv 104 - 80 wagons of type Strv 102 in addition to the REMO during the years 1984 to 1986 was upgraded with a new diesel engine and automatic transmission for substantially increased mobility. The powerpack is from the israeli Sho't-kal Alef. They were allocated Kristianstad Brigade (PO Box 26) with the designation to Strv 104.
7. Strv 105 - Tank 102R upgraded, including with new suspension systems to tape deck, IRV-sight and a new driver's door. Only built as prototypes. Was developed to complement the tank that would be associated with FMV's procurement of the new tank, in the early 90s.
8. Strv 106 - Tank 101R upgraded, including a new suspension, etc. However, never built.

In connection with Tank 121 would be delivered to Sweden in 1994 and the decision on the acquisition of Tank 122 was taken, started the remaining Strv Strv 101 and 102 that are disposed of in 1992 in anticipation of scrapping. There remained 80 Strv 104 at Kristianstad Brigade, however, this brigade dismantled in 1994. In connection with this settlement came 60 pieces of Kristianstad Brigade tanks being transferred in 1992 to Södermanland Brigade (MekB 10), where they were in service until 1994, then they were transferred to Gotland to upgrade and modernize Gotland Brigade (MekB 18). The tanks came to serve at Gotland Brigade to the 2000 defense policy , then tank training ended at brigade and battle tank 104 was discarded and scrapped.