The Czech Army has taken delivery of its first CV9030 MkIV infantry fighting vehicle at a ceremony in Sweden.
The rollout marks the beginning of a major modernisation effort, with 246 vehicles scheduled for delivery by 2030 under a deal worth around SEK 22 billion (USD 2.2 billion).
The ceremony was attended by Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, and BAE Systems Hägglunds Managing Director Tommy Gustafsson-Rask. Speaking at the event, Gustafsson-Rask said:
“The CV90 provides an unrivalled combination of mobility, firepower, and protection, and will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Czech Army. This is just the beginning – by joining the CV90 User Club, the Czech Republic also gains access to a community of experienced operators across Europe, enabling the exchange of operational insights, joint training opportunities, and accelerated introduction of future upgrades.”
According to BAE Systems, 39 vehicles will be built in Sweden while the remaining 207 will be produced in the Czech Republic, with local industry expected to account for 40% of the programme’s value. The company said this arrangement would provide opportunities in development, production, and system integration while bolstering the country’s defence sector.
Czech Defence Minister Černochová described the delivery as tangible progress: “Today is proof that we are not just talking about the modernization of the Army, but working hard to make it a reality. This is an important moment for the security of the Czech Republic. The CV90 project represents months of negotiations, hundreds of people, and thousands of hours of work. I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts, Czech soldiers will receive in the CV90 the very best that the defense industry has to offer.”
The MkIV is the latest in the CV90 series, which has been adopted by several NATO members. It is fitted with a 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon, advanced fire control, and modular protection systems. BAE Systems states that it offers improved mobility and survivability in high-intensity conflict as well as peacekeeping roles.
Swedish Defence Minister Jonson added: “I am proud that we today can confirm this important milestone in the deliveries of the CV90 to our Czech partner. The CV90 now constitutes an important cornerstone in the armed forces of several countries, and it has proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine and in the defence of Europe. The Czech Republic will now receive a battle-tested, efficient, and successful combat vehicle.”
The programme follows a three-party agreement between Prague, Stockholm, and BAE Systems. Deliveries will be phased to allow the Czech Army to train crews, integrate the vehicles into mechanised brigades, and maintain operational readiness during the transition.
If only we had….
Tease.
I’m not an Army SME like some, but there is an old engineering design expression that nearly always works “if it looks right, it usually is right”. The CV90 ticks all the boxes and just screams resilience, reliability and lethality, what’s more it’s rapidly becoming the dominant IFV in Northern NATO so it must meet their requirements.
As for the decisions that were made for Ajax and Boxer time will tell if it was correct or just a massive mistake that may cost soldiers their lives ! I pray that it doesn’t happen but if it does I just hope the General who thought he knew best and the Defence officials and Politicians that approved them get named and shamed.
In the good old days it would have been here’s a bullet, the guns in there and shut the door behind you.
That would be Geoffrey de Havilland.
Red rag to a bull 😂