BAE Systems has signed a framework agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) to provide repair and maintenance services for the Danish Army’s CV90s over a period of 15 years.
Under the agreement, worth approximately $400m (DKr3bn), BAE Systems will provide an upgraded level of operability for the infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The agreement covers repair and maintenance services for the Danish Army’s fleet of 44 CV90s IFVs, such as the delivery of spare parts at a time when the service’s operational tempo remains at a high level.
“This important agreement will secure the functionality of the Danish Army’s fleet of CV90s and will ensure that they remain operating at a high capability level and tempo for many years to come,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds, the company which designs and builds the CV90.
Announced on 28 February, 2024, by BAE Systems, the contract is the latest example of countries across Europe and Nato looking to sustain readiness of military capabilities in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which has returned state-on-state warfare to the continent for the first time in generations.
The CV90 is among the most widely operated AFV in Europe, in service with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, as well as Sweden. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have also agreed deals to acquire the platform.
The CV90 IFV programme, across its 17 variants, has seen around 1,700 vehicles produced, with the platform seeing operation combat in Liberia, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Denmark and Sweden affirm CV90 supply to Ukraine
In December 2023, Denmark announced that it would make a financial contribution of DKr1.8bn in funding towards the procurement of CV90 IFVs for Ukraine, following the signing of a joint statement of intent with Sweden.
Announced during a visit by Sweden’s Minister for Defence Pål Jonson to Denmark on 18 December 2023, the deal will see Sweden supervise the acquisition of CV90s that will be delivered to Ukraine, within the framework of an agreement concluded between Kyiv and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Ukraine in July this year.
The Statement of Intent means that the Denmark and Sweden will promote the acquisition of additional CV90 for Ukraine, stated a Swedish Government release.
“We will use our industrial capability to ensure the delivery of newly produced Combat Vehicle 90s to Ukraine. Combat Vehicle 90 has been – and remains – an important addition to Ukraine’s defence ever since Sweden donated 50 vehicles earlier this year,” said Jonson in 2023.
Sweden had previously, in connection with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Sweden in August, signed a joint Letter of Intent with Ukraine on closer cooperation on the CV90 platform. An initial batch of 50 CV90 combat vehicles were delivered to Ukraine earlier in 2023.
In February 2024 Sweden announced a new package of military support for Kyiv, which also included a donation to enable Ukraine to purchase new CV90 vehicles.
CV90: a workhorse of European armoured capability
First entering into service in 1993, the CV90 has since been upgrade over its lifetime and is available in a number of variants. Versions of the CV90 family include the CV9040 with 40mm gun and the export variant, the CV9030 with a 30mm main armament.
The CV9040 has been in service with the Swedish Army since 1993 with nearly 500 systems delivered and is armed with a 40mm Bofors L/70 cannon. Final deliveries were completed in September 2002.
The sighting systems of several Swedish CV9040 vehicles have been upgraded with an LIRC thermal imaging system from FLIR Systems. LIRC is based on QWIP (quantum well infrared photodetector) technology.
BAE Systems also developed several export versions of CV90 for international customers. In July 2010, the company unveiled a new variant of CV90, called Armadillo. Another new variant, CV90 MkIV, was launched in January 2018 and features improved stealth and survivability.
