Sweden eyes next-gen, hybrid CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle

LONDON — Sweden’s armed forces are hoping to adopt a next-generation, potentially hybrid version of the CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in “record time” given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to the commander of the Swedish Army.

Addressing delegates at the International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) conference in Twickenham, UK last week, Maj. Gen. Karl Engelbrektson said the Swedish Army supported the development of an upgraded CV90 IFV between 2023 and 2027. Such a development program, he added, could be followed by procurement of an undisclosed number of next-gen CV90 variants through to 2034 “and beyond.”

The Swedish Army currently operates a total fleet of more than 500 BAE-made CV90s in a variety of configurations including Armoured Recovery, Forward Observation, Forward Command, Mortar and Anti-Aircraft variants. In November 2022, the Swedish Army also elected to procure a further pair of new variants in the form of the CV90 Forward Maintenance vehicle and Combat Engineer vehicles.

RELATED: Sweden sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine not ‘on the table,’ Swedish official says

The tracked IFV has a gross vehicle weight up to 37 tons and top speed of 70 kilometers per hour (about 43 miles per hour). CV90s are typically armed with a 30 or 35 mm weapon system, although Sweden uses a 40mm version. However, the vehicle is weapon-agnostic and is also with a 120mm option.

According to Engelbrektson, a next-gen CV90 will most likely comprise a step-change upgraded variant of the CV9035NL – one of the latest versions of the IFV designed for the Royal Netherlands Army by original equipment manufacturer BAE Systems Hagglunds.

Importantly, the next-gen CV90 would also feature a hybrid electric engine which MG Engelbrektson described as an important requirement for the Swedish Army to support more environmentally friendly peacetime training and combat operations.

“My job as Commander of the Swedish Army is to give clear directions, not least in these times when a sense of urgency and rapid effects is important,” he explained to Breaking Defense after the event.

“What I mentioned in my presentation at IAV regarding a next-generation CV90 featuring a hybrid electric engine stands – but in the clear context that I initially talked about was direction I have given the Swedish Army regarding the role and development for our CVs.

RELATED: Sweden’s massive opportunity to rethink its role in Nordic defense

“It is important to emphasize that no agreements have been made between the industry and FMV [the Swedish Defence Administration], a governmental agency separated from the Swedish Armed Forces. And I look forward to quickly fielded ‘demonstrators’ designed that way so that we can kick-start the next-generation CV90 in record time,” he continued.

In October, BAE Systems Hägglunds delivered the first scheduled CV9035NL upgrade to the Royal Netherlands Army, part of a $543 million upgrade program that will retrofit a total of 122 platforms. CV9035NLs are expected to remain in service until at least 2039, according to BAE.

For that vehicle, improvements are focused on enhancing survivability, lethality, ergonomics and combat effectiveness. Specifically, upgrades include the new D-Series turret; fourth-generation digital backbone; more robust cyber security; Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Active Protection System; a new Electro-Optic Aiming System; and the Spike LR anti-tank guided missile (AGTM).

“The main weapon position has been changed, resulting in even better vehicle balance, as well as creating new options for alternative solutions for both weaponry and crew, including significantly improved lethality and ergonomics,” a company statement explained.

RELATED: UK reveals capture of Russian equipment, instructs industry to develop new countermeasures

As for a potential next-gen vehicle, once those are designed and prototyped, they would expect to be demonstrated at the CV90 Users Club, which features senior leadership representation from existing customers including Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and most recently Ukraine. (On Jan. 19, Sweden announced it would be donating a total of 50 CV90 IFVs to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue to conduct full-scale combat operations against Russian armed forces.)

According to Engelbrektson, the next-gen CV90 must also benefit from “early integration in the design phase” of multiple technologies and capabilities. These include digitalization of C4ISR mission suites; enhanced signature management as part of camouflage, concealment and deception; in addition to Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) anti-tank guided munitions (ATGMs), enabled by vertical take-off/landing uncrewed aerial vehicles.

In December, BAE Systems Hägglunds and MBDA France successfully fired the Akeron MP anti-tank guided munition from the CV90 IFV for the first time. The test fire, which was conducted in northern Sweden, signaled the start of a multi-year integration of Akeron MP on board the IFV to potentially fulfil an FMV requirement for a next-generation anti-tank capability.

BAE Systems and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems are already in the final stages of completing the integration of the Spike ATGM on board CV90 with an end date projected by the middle of 2023.

Ahead of any potential procurement of a next-gen CV90, the Swedish Army is already looking at upgrading its existing fleet of CV90s with Engelbrektson highlighting demand signals for BLOS anti-tank guided munitions; signature management; training and simulation; and general capacity to renew, expand and enlarge the family of IFVs.

Sweden’s pursuit of a next-gen CV90 will also interest the wider international community of vehicle operators.

According to BAE Systems Hägglunds, there are approximately 1,300 CV90s currently in service across Europe. A company spokesperson told Breaking Defense, “The vehicle has a combat-proven track record and is designed to accommodate future growth to meet evolving missions. More recently, both Slovakia with 152 vehicles and the Czech Republic with 210 have selected CV90 to replace their legacy infantry fighting vehicle fleets.”

On 27 Jan, BAE Systems’ Swedish joint venture, HB Utveckling AB, received a $30 million contract modification from the FMV calling for an additional 20 CV90 Mjölner mortar systems for the Swedish Army – a delivery that will be conducted from Hägglunds.

The joint venture, which features BAE Systems’ Hägglunds and Bofors manufacturing capabilities, means the army will benefit from a total of 80 mobile mortar systems, scheduled to enter service by 2025 for the final delivery – the first Mjölners are already fielded with the army.

Those vehicles, which are known as Granatkastarpansarbandvagn 90 (Grenade Launcher Armoured Vehicle 90), will provide indirect firepower capabilities for the Swedish Army’s mechanized brigades.