Army Technology

Elbit Systems secures Iron Fist deal to equip European CV90 user

Elbit Systems secures a $130m contract to equip BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles with advanced protection systems for a European military.

Elbit Systems has announced a $130m contract to supply its Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS) to BAE Systems Hägglunds, earmarked for CV90 infantry fighting vehicles used by a European country.

This development highlights the continued reliance of European militaries on Israeli defence technology despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Iron Fist APS offers 360-degree protection against threats, including anti-tank rockets, anti-tank guided missiles, and emerging unmanned aerial systems. This technology is expected to enhance the CV90 IFVs' survivability in open terrain and urban warfare environments.

Although the specific country benefiting from this latest contract has yet to be disclosed, countries such as Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden all operate various versions of the CV90. Each is adapted to meet specific national defence requirements. Given the recent contracts and military upgrades involving the CV90, it is likely that the recipient of this latest contract is one of these nations.

Sweden and Denmark, in particular, have shown commitments to modernising their CV90 fleets, with Denmark also recently upgrading its CV90s and Sweden actively supporting Ukraine with CV90 vehicles.

In 2021, Elbit Systems secured an $82m contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds to equip the Royal Netherlands Army’s CV90 infantry fighting vehicles with Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS).

Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land, expressed the company’s pride in securing the contract, noting the significance of their Iron Fist APS being selected once again. “Following the contracts signed in recent years, we are honoured to be awarded this important contract by BAE Systems Hägglunds for a European country," Vered stated.

The contract will be executed over five and a half years.

As the CV90 continues to play a pivotal role in the defence strategies of several European countries, the addition of the Iron Fist APS is set to bolster its reputation as a formidable and reliable asset on the modern battlefield.