MilDef Secures Major Contract for IT Upgrades on BAE Systems CV90 IFVs

October 31,2024

By:Defense News Army 2024

On October 30, 2024, the Swedish defense technology group MilDef announced a major contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds to supply rugged IT equipment for operator stations in CV90 combat vehicles. Initially valued at €17 million, this contract could reach €24 million with options, marking MilDef's largest deal of the year. This strategic agreement highlights the close collaboration between the two companies in modernizing military equipment for Central Europe.

The CV90 IFV, also known as the Stridsfordon 90 (Strf90), is an infantry fighting vehicle series developed in Sweden by BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds and Saab Bofors Dynamics. Created in 1984, the CV90 platform entered service in 1993 with the delivery of the first Strf 9040 to the Swedish Army. Since then, it has evolved to meet modern requirements, with variants equipped with 30 to 40-mm automatic cannons and even 105 or 120 mm cannons for lighter versions. Designed for versatile roles, the CV90 family includes models for troop transport, anti-aircraft operations, and artillery support. It is currently in use by European forces such as those in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and, more recently, Ukraine, which received an order of 50 vehicles from Sweden in 2023.

In terms of mobility and protection, the CV90 is powered by a Scania DI 14 engine producing 550 horsepower, reaching a maximum speed of 70 km/h with a range of 320 km. Its welded steel structure provides basic protection against 14.5 mm projectiles, and it can carry three crew members along with eight soldiers. With fire control systems, day and night vision, and NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection, the CV90 operates effectively in various combat environments. The latest version, the CV90 Mk IV, includes substantial improvements in mobility, protection, and armament, maintaining its relevance for modern conflicts.

MilDef's IT equipment will play a key role in the digital transformation of the CV90 fleet, intended for NATO nations in Central Europe. Designed to perform under intense combat conditions, these vehicles will benefit from advanced digital integration. This contract represents a further step in MilDef and BAE Systems Hägglunds' long-term cooperation, a partnership rooted in proven technology and ongoing innovation, strengthening Europe's defense capabilities and supply chain security.

By upgrading CV90 operator stations with rugged IT systems, MilDef enhances the vehicles’ real-time management, communication, and analytical capabilities. These digital features improve operational efficiency and facilitate integration of data from various sensors and control systems. Enhanced situational awareness also allows the crew to make faster, more accurate decisions, boosting the CV90's agility in facing modern threats.

Daniel Ljunggren, President of MilDef, expressed his satisfaction with this collaboration, underscoring the importance of long-term relationships and co-developed innovations with BAE Systems Hägglunds. Peter Sedin, Production Director at BAE Systems Hägglunds, also emphasized the importance of strategic partners like MilDef in meeting client requirements and commitments reliably.

The CV90 has achieved significant international success, demonstrating versatility and resilience. In Ukraine, the CV90 has proven its durability in intense combat conditions, offering robust protection for crews against modern threats such as drones. This success is also reflected in recent adoption by the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, with modernization programs underway to keep this vehicle at the forefront of European military capabilities.

Source:

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/mildef-secures-major-contract-for-it-upgrades-on-bae-systems-cv90-ifvs