Denmark Signs Contract for Additional CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Potentially Freeing Older Models for Ukraine

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) to supply 44 additional CV90 Mk.IIIC infantry fighting vehicles, the company announced in a press release.

The contract is valued at approximately $450 million and includes spare parts, support, logistics, and training.

The deal builds on a 2024 contract for 115 CV90 Mk.IIIC vehicles, bringing the total number of new infantry fighting vehicles for the Danish Land Forces to 159.

The new contract replaces plans to modernize the existing fleet of 44 CV9035DK vehicles, allowing Denmark to operate a single unified fleet within the 1st Land Forces Brigade.

The move is expected to improve equipment standardization, simplify maintenance, and provide units with modern combat vehicles.

Danish military analysts note that the 44 vehicles no longer slated for modernization could potentially be transferred to Ukraine, in addition to the 40 new CV90s already allocated under a joint Denmark-Sweden contract.

“The infantry fighting vehicle is a key component of a heavy brigade’s combat power. Having a unified fleet as soon as possible is therefore critical. With the replacement of the existing 44 vehicles, the army will have 159 modern infantry fighting vehicles by the end of 2030,” Major General Peter Boysen, Chief of the Royal Danish Army, stated.

The CV90 Mk.IIIC will be built to the same standard as the Netherlands’ CV9035NL MLU modernization program, featuring a new turret that offers significant improvements in design and functionality.

The vehicle uses the third-generation CV90 chassis and is fitted with the D35 turret, developed for next-generation CV90s. It is armed with a 35 mm Bushmaster III automatic cannon and incorporates lessons learned from the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Key features of the D35 include a new fire-control system with artificial intelligence elements and separate optical systems for the gunner and commander. The commander’s station has a stabilized mast-mounted COAPS-L optoelectronic system.

The turret also carries a Spike-LR2 anti-tank missile system with two missile guides and an Iron Fist active protection system. Aside from these upgrades, the vehicle retains the core specifications of the CV90 Mk.III.