Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Maliar, has announced a joint venture with Sweden to produce CV-90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) with improved off-road capabilities and reinforced multilayer armor. The goal of this collaboration is to equip the Ukrainian armed forces with 1,000 of these advanced vehicles.
Maliar emphasized the CV-90’s reputation as one of the world’s premier IFVs, designed and manufactured in Sweden. Its standout feature is its comprehensive crew protection, catering to both the three-person crew and an eight-person infantry squad. This level of protection is unmatched by any other IFV on the market.
She provided an illustrative example of the Swedish IFV’s crew safety: During a battle, the CV-90 was shielding infantry units from tank fire when it was struck by a Russian kamikaze drone called the ‘Lancet.’ Remarkably, neither the crew nor the onboard infantry were harmed in the attack. They promptly transferred to another vehicle and continued their combat operations. Maliar highlighted that if a Soviet BMP-1 or BMP-2 had been in use instead of the CV-90, the outcome would have been disastrous due to the lack of comparable armor on those vehicles.
Maliar confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already received CV-90s in the summer of 2023, and these vehicles are actively engaged in combat operations on the frontlines. They were initially deployed in the Lyman sector, where Ukrainian forces have been facing ongoing attempts by the enemy to breach their defenses.
Furthermore, Maliar revealed that Ukraine and Sweden have inked a deal to collaboratively manufacture the CV-90, with the near-term objective being the production of 1,000 of these Swedish IFVs for the Ukrainian military.
The Swedish CV-90, produced by BAE Systems, is renowned for its exceptional mobility, protection, and firepower. It is considered one of the most advanced and adaptable armored vehicles globally, particularly suitable for modern battlefield scenarios. BAE Systems has described the CV-90 as agile and formidable in combat, setting the standard in the 20-35 tonne weight class. It integrates a diverse array of weapon systems, delivering comprehensive target engagement capabilities for land forces worldwide.