The Dutch Army’s CV90 infantry fighting vehicles are receiving new rubber tracks as part of a wider 500 million EUR upgrade program.
BAE Systems will be in charge delivering and fitting the new rubber tracks that are expected to improve crew endurance and running costs and reduce weight, which in turn allows for better performance.
The contract, signed earlier this month, includes development, testing and verification, as well as the delivery of implementation kits for training alongside the Dutch customer.
“The reduced vibration levels will increase the life expectancy of electronics, optronics, and ammunition, which will significantly reduce vehicle running costs,” explains Dan Lindell, Director Combat Vehicles at BAE Systems Hägglunds. “What’s more, with the reduction of close to 1 tonne in vehicle weight as a result of the change to a rubber track system, there will be increased potential for continuous growth.”
This modification is the latest in series of incremental upgrades to the Dutch CV90s. Most recently, in 2019, the Dutch Army selected BAE Systems to integrate the Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) into its fleet. Iron Fist is an advanced technology that automatically detects, tracks and neutralizes incoming threats to protect the vehicle and its crew.
The rubber track system is jointly developed by Soucy International in Quebec, Canada, and BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden. CV90s with rubber track systems are already in use by the Norwegian forces and have been through the real test of active missions in northern Afghanistan.
“This development is a real strategic milestone in the CV90’s approach to holistic survivability,” added Lindell. “It complements the already existing stealth- and soft-kill layers with further means to defeat the incoming threat, making survivability even more achievable.”
