Home Europe Czech Republic, Sweden finalize $2.2B deal for CV90 vehicles

Czech Republic, Sweden finalize $2.2B deal for CV90 vehicles

CV90 for Czech Republic
Photo: BAE Systems

The Czech Republic has successfully completed negotiations with the government of Sweden and vehicle manufacturer BAE Systems Hägglunds for the purchase of 246 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles.

The SEK 22 billion (approx. $2.2 billion) deal, signed at the IDET fair in Brno on May 24, will see BAE Systems deliver vehicles to the Czech Army in seven different variants.

The vehicles will be developed and delivered through an industrial partnership with Czech industry to meet the requirements of the Czech defense ministry and the intention of maintaining national sovereignty for the Czech Republic. The Czech industrial partners will be delivering 40 percent of the acquisition’s value in development, production and assembly contracts, not including VAT.

After pausing its infantry fighting vehicle procurement program in 2021, the country revealed in July last year it would be buying the CV90. The new vehicles will replace the Soviet era BVP IFV and complement the Austrian-built Pandur II vehicles currently in service.

“As the ninth member of the CV90 user group, the Czech Republic and its Army will benefit from this combat-proven infantry fighting vehicle with a leading combination of mobility, firepower, protection, and future growth potential,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds, in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. “This contract also represents a significant win for Czech industry that will last for decades.”

Today, the CV90 user club consists of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. Sweden has also donated 50 CV90s to Ukraine.

With a new engine, the MkIV CV90 boasts up to 1,000 horsepower and the upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission. The gross vehicle weight rating is increased from 35 tons to 37 tons, offering users two tons of extra payload without a decrease in vehicle agility. The MkIV generation will also be the first western IFV with a qualified active protection system, according to BAE Systems.