The Swedish defense ministry has placed a new order with BAE Systems for the delivery of another 20 mortar systems based on the CV90 armored vehicle.
This order brings the total fleet of these mortars in Swedish Army service to 80 vehicles, with the entire fleet expected to be in service by 2025.
The approximately $30 million contract has been awarded to the BAE Systems Swedish joint venture HB Utveckling AB, which combines BAE Systems’ Hägglunds and Bofors manufacturing capabilities. Production will be performed at BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.
“This new contract modification for additional mortar vehicles ensures that soldiers will benefit from this critical capability in the near future,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. “We look forward to continuing to support the Swedish Army’s efforts to modernize and increase its combat power.”
The original contract for 40 CV90 Mjölner systems was awarded in 2016, and deliveries of the systems started in 2019 and were completed on time in 2020. In February 2022, FMV awarded the first follow-on contract for 20 additional systems, as well as the upgrade of the 40 systems already in service, to bring them all to the same standard by integrating the Swedish Army’s new C4I LSS Mark system.
Once the contract modification deliveries are completed in 2025, the Swedish Army will operate 80 CV90 mortar vehicles in its fleet. The vehicles, known as Granatkastarpansarbandvagn 90, provide indirect firepower capabilities in the mechanized brigades.
According the BAE Systems, the CV90-based mortar system has a turret with two muzzle-loaded 120 mm barrels, a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute and a manual ammunition loading system.
Compatible with all standard 120 mm mortar ammunition, the system has a range of up to 9 km (using standard grenades), and up to 13 km using standard range ammunition. It can store up to 56 rounds in the bustle, and up to 48 in the chassis.
