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CV90 AIFV

In June 2023, Sweden gave Ukraine 50 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. As its name suggests, the purpose of this vehicle is to transport infantry to a protected position near the adversary and support them with an onboard cannon. On 19 January 2023 the Swedish Government announced that Sweden will send a new military support package to Ukraine. The package will include CV90 advanced combat vehicles. Sweden, which has broken with its doctrine of not delivering weapons to a country at war, will send 50 CV90 armoured vehicles and NLAW portable anti-tank missiles, the government said. “Military support is decisive,� Kristersson said, as “it can change who retakes the initiative this winter� on the front in Ukraine.

The 10th military support package for Ukraine just announced by the Swedish Government value (approx. 400 million EUR) is so far the largest provided by Sweden and consists of three parts: The first part consists of further cooperation of defense procurement, which will strengthen Ukraine's possibility to purchase high quality military equipment in the future.

The second part consists of 50 combat vehicles CV 90 and additional anti-tank weapons including NLAW. The support of 50 CV 90 also includes logistical support, maintenance and training which will be given together with partners. All CV 90 vehicles also come with an advanced C2-system. The third part of the support package includes the artillery system Archer.

Combat vehicle 90 is armored and can be found in all Swedish mechanized units. Widely used in operations abroad as well as by a number of other countries. Equipped with a 40 mm cannon that can be rotated 360 degrees, a 7.62 mm machine gun and smoke launcher. Can be used for both combat and transport as, in addition to the three-man crew, there is room for seven soldiers. Combat vehicle 90 is tracked, just like a tank, and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h. Developed in collaboration between the Swedish companies Bofors and Hägglunds.

The Stridsfordon 90 is of international top class. "It is one of the world's most competent combat vehicles in its class. It is well proven and has a relatively heavy armament with a 40mm autocannon that we are alone with. The export variants have 35 or 25 millimeters. It will increase the offensive power in Ukraine", says Joakim Paasikivi.

He also sees it as a clear indication of Swedish involvement in the war. "It is a signal of how important this is - that we are making an investment in Ukraine's ability but also our own security. I believe that this, also internationally, will be seen as a strong signal that Sweden wants to contribute to Europe's and the world's security." Joakim Paasikvi also believes that continued support is absolutely crucial for the Ukrainian resistance. "If things go badly for Ukraine, things go well for Russia, and if things go well for Russia, it becomes dangerous for us. Maybe even more dangerous in a few years."

On 19 August 2023, Ukraine and Sweden signed a declaration of intent for the production, repair, and training related to the Swedish-made Combat Vehicle 90. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a press conference after meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. According to the statement, as part of Sweden's long-standing commitment to support Ukraine, Sweden has donated Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), in solidarity with Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and freedom.

"Today we detailed our agreement on the joint production of the CV90 in Ukraine, localization of production, repairs, etc. This is very important to us. This is an example that security cooperation, cooperation in production fully reflects the unity of our values. And we will do everything to make sure that the first CV 90 produced in Ukraine appears as soon as possible," Zelensky said.

He noted that the Ukrainian military is already using the combat vehicle, in particular, the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, which the head of state visited earlier this week. "Swedish infantry fighting vehicles CV90 are really very strong. Our soldiers praise the CV90 very much. We are grateful not only that the guys move forward with the help of these vehicles, but also that the CV90 helps save lives. High quality really helps save and protect the lives of soldiers. And life is the most valuable thing. We are fighting for it and for the freedom of this life," Zelensky said. Zelensky also thanked Kristersson for fulfilling the agreements and starting the training of the Ukrainian military on Archer artillery systems.

Ukraine and Sweden plan to jointly produce one thousand CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukraine and Sweden will jointly produce the CV-90 IFVs with better all-terrain performance and reinforced multilayer armor, with a goal of arming Ukrainian forces with 1,000 vehicles, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar said on 10 September 2023. “The CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle is believed to be the best one in the world. Designed and manufactured in Sweden, it has everything that a modern combat vehicle should have, and its main advantage is taking care of the crew (three people) and the landing party (up to eight people) because such protection as that of the CV-90’s is not available in any other IFV,” Maliar said on Telegram. She added: “The CV-90s arrived for the armed forces in the summer of 2023 and are already performing combat tasks at the front. They were first spotted in the Lyman direction, where the enemy has been trying to break through our defenses for several months now.” She used an example of how the Swedish IFV protects its crew: “In one of the battles, the Swedish IFV was covering infantry units from tank fire and at that moment it was hit by a Russian kamikaze drone ‘Lancet’. However, neither the crew nor the landing party inside were injured - they moved to another vehicle and continued to perform combat tasks. If there was a Soviet BMP-1 or BMP-2 instead of the CV-90, no one would have survived, because there is actually no armor on these machines.”

Maliar said: “Soon, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive many more such vehicles, because Ukraine and Sweden have agreed on the joint production of the CV-90. And the nearest goal is 1,000 Swedish IFVs for the Ukrainian army.”

The Swedish CV-90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), manufactured by BAE Systems, is a highly advanced and versatile armored vehicle. It boasts exceptional mobility, protection, and firepower, making it a formidable asset on the modern battlefield. BAE Systems said the CV-90 is agile and powerful in combat, leading the way in the 20-35 tonne class. “It integrates a wide range of weapon systems, providing all-target capability to land forces around the world.”

Russians took a Swedish-donated CV90 infantry fighting vehicle from Ukraine in early August 2023. Estonia has a different model but the same battle machine, but the defense forces aren't worried the Russians will learn anything new. The Ukrainians were forced to abandon one of these vehicles on the battlefieldk, and the Russians were able to recover it. After propaganda videos, the Russian minister of defense, Sergei Shoigu, also inspected the equipment.

Maj. Vladimir Kolotõgin, chief of staff of the Scouts Battalion, an infantry battalion with rapid response capability explained that Estonia employs CV90s as well, but not exactly the same ones. "Compare military vehicles to everyday cars to draw parallels with the civilian world. A perfectly ordinary vehicle, such as a BMW, is available for purchase. Even in the case of combat vehicles, the interior equipment can vary substantially between countries. Estonians utilize devices of a distinct type. Additionally, the interior machinery is distinct. Each nation constructs the machine uniquely. One machine cannot produce exactly the same fundamental outcomes as another."

The Russians are drawing quick conclusions. "For example, what sensors does this machine have, how far can it see? How well can it see at night, during the day, and in fog? How effective are all of these sensors," Kolotõgin went on to explain. The Russians will also be able to draw lessons that will take years to implement. "What can be learned from this technology, or what has been done by Western engineers, that could be developed and implemented by the opposing side for their own benefit?" he asked.

Russia is unlikely to gain any new knowledge from analyzing the Swedish fighter, he said. "If we analyze all the Russian material that has come into our possession from public sources, we find that they have already accumulated a large number of tips. On the basis of that CV90 alone, I would not say that there is any fundamentally new knowledge."

The technology on board is not new to the Russians. "As an example, the thermal systems [cameras] used by CV are French-made and manufactured by Thales, which is no secret. In fact, the Russian tanks, such as the T72B3, are equipped with the exact same technology. They already have the same technology, they are not discovering anything new," Kolotõgin said.

Rather, the captured combat vehicle confirms what the Ukrainians have praised in the past in the case of Western equipment: that even when struck, the majority of soldiers survive. "The fact that this team survived and is able to continue in service is the greatest technical achievement of Western technology," he said.