CV90

Sweden's modular tracked IFV — a 35-ton armored carrier with heavy firepower and active protection, now battle-tested in Ukraine.

Overview

The Combat Vehicle 90 (Strf 90) is a family of tracked infantry fighting vehicles developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds. The platform marries a modular armor envelope with a high-velocity autocannon and generous troop capacity, making it the primary mechanized mount for Sweden and several other European armies. The most advanced version, the CV90 Mk IV, adds a 1,000-hp powerpack, an active protection system, and a digital architecture that keeps the vehicle relevant for decades.

Development

Work on the CV90 began in the 1980s to replace the aging Pbv 302, and the initial CV9040 entered Swedish service in 1993, according to Wikipedia. The export-oriented CV9035 followed in the mid-2000s, mounting the 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon, while the present-generation CV90 Mk IV was launched to meet both existing and new customer requirements with greater horsepower, heavier armor, and an integrated Iron Fist active protection system, as BAE Systems details.

Design & capabilities

The CV90’s hull is built to accept multiple armor packages — including add-on ballistic and mine-protection kits — without altering the basic structure. In its heaviest Mk IV configuration the vehicle reaches 38 tonnes but still carries a section of eight infantry. The 35 mm Bushmaster III (on the CV9035) provides a high rate of fire against light armor and helicopters, while a Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile can be integrated for heavy-armor engagements, a feature noted by Army Recognition. The Scania DS16 diesel — up to 1,000 hp in the Mk IV — gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 26 hp/t, allowing it to keep pace with main battle tanks. An active protection system (Iron Fist) is fitted on Dutch and Czech versions to defeat incoming rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.

Variants

The family spans: - CV9040 — original Swedish version with a 40 mm Bofors cannon. - CV9030 — 30 mm Bushmaster II, fielded by Norway, Switzerland, and Finland. - CV9035 — 35 mm Bushmaster III, used by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Estonia. - CV90 Mk IV — the current production standard with a 1,000-hp engine, digital backbone, and optional Iron Fist active protection. - Special-mission derivatives — command post, recovery, forward observation, and air-defense (Mk IV-based) variants exist in several fleets.

Combat record / operational use

The CV90 had no combat history until the Russo-Ukrainian war. Sweden donated approximately 50 CV9040C vehicles to Ukraine starting in June 2023, an initial batch that was soon committed to front-line mechanized operations, detailed by The War Zone. Their 40 mm cannon and add-on armor offered a step change in survivability and firepower for Ukrainian mechanized units accustomed to lighter Soviet-era types. GlobalSecurity.org reports that the CV90s saw combat by September 2023, where they provided direct-fire support and infantry transport in some of the war’s heaviest armored engagements.

Advantages

• Modular ballistic and mine protection, scalable from 35 to 38 tonnes without a full redesign.
• Powerful 1,000-hp engine in the Mk IV gives a high power-to-weight ratio for an IFV.
• Active protection (Iron Fist) available on several operator builds, offering a hard-kill defense against RPGs and ATGMs.
• Large dismount capacity of up to eight troops, superior to many peers.
• Broad export base provides assured spares and upgrade paths for multiple NATO air-mechanized forces.

Drawbacks / limitations

• High unit cost (~€8.5–8.9M per vehicle) limits fleet size.
• The 38-tonne Mk IV weight puts stress on tactical bridging and strategic airlift.
• Iron Fist active protection is not yet standard across all variants, leaving some engines exposed.
• The vehicle’s first combat experience is still nascent; the long-term durability of its modular armor in high-intensity warfare is being assessed.

Counterparts

• BMP-3 (Russia)
• ZBD-04A (China)

Outlook

The CV90 is in the middle of a production surge, with more than 450 new-build Mk IVs under contract and several existing fleets undergoing mid-life updates. The war in Ukraine is the first real test of its combat survivability, and the feedback from those engagements is likely to shape the next block of improvements — particularly in active protection and counter-drone armament. With the replacement of older Soviet-era IFVs across Europe, the CV90 remains a safe-bet choice for armies seeking a tracked, well-protected infantry carrier with a multi-decade service life.

Key specifications

Sources

1. BAE Systems — CV90 MkIV. https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/cv90-mkiv
2. Army Recognition — CV90 Mk IV IFV. https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/infantry-fighting-vehicles/tracked-vehicles/cv90-mk-iv-ifv-tracked-armored-infantry-fighting-vehicle
3. Wikipedia — Combat Vehicle 90. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Vehicle_90
4. The War Zone — "This Is The CV90 Fighting Vehicle Sweden Is Sending To Ukraine." https://www.twz.com/this-is-the-cv90-fighting-vehicle-sweden-is-sending-to-ukraine
5. GlobalSecurity.org — CV90 AIFV (Ukraine). https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/ua-cv90.htm
6. Defense Express — "ASCOD vs CV90 Rivalry on the Ukrainian Defense Market." https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/ascod_vs_cv90_rivalry_on_the_ukrainian_defense_market_essential_facts_about_these_ifvs-8074.html