The First CV90 IFV for the Czech Republic Was Manufactured by Swedish BAE Systems Hägglunds AB

BAE Systems Hägglunds presented the first CV90 infantry fighting vehicle manufactured for the Czech Armed Forces in the city of Örnsköldsvik (Sweden).

The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic and the CZ DEFENSE publication reported on this. Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohova and her Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson attended the ceremony. This is the first vehicle from a batch of 39 vehicles to be assembled in Sweden. The rest, more than 200 units, will be assembled in the Czech Republic at the state-owned VOP CZ.

In his speech, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson emphasized the importance of Czech-Swedish defense cooperation and the common position of the two countries in supporting Ukraine. He reminded that the combat use of the CV90 in Ukraine has proven its effectiveness.

According to him, the Ukrainian military highly appreciates the protection of the crew and the platform’s endurance on the battlefield.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohová called the presentation of the first vehicle “real proof of the army’s modernization”. She noted that the contract will have a significant impact on the Czech industry, which will receive multibillion-dollar orders.

More than 20 companies will be involved in the production, including Excalibur Army, Meopta, Ray Service, and VR Group. The share of the Czech industry in the project must be at least 40%, otherwise the contract provides for sanctions.

BAE Systems reports that Czech companies will even participate in the assembly of the first 39 vehicles in Sweden. This will allow them to quickly acquire the necessary competencies for further localization of production.

The Czech Republic will join the CV90 user club, which already includes Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, and Switzerland.

The Czech government approved the purchase of 246 CV90 MkIVs in May 2023. The total value of the deal is almost CZK 60 billion. The contract was signed in the format of an intergovernmental agreement with Sweden.

The Czech army is to receive the first ten vehicles in 2026, with the main deliveries to continue in 2027-2030.

The CV90s are to become the basis of the Czech Army’s heavy brigade, which is part of Prague’s commitments to NATO. Initially, the Czech Republic was supposed to form this brigade by 2026, but the program’s timeline has been pushed back.