Slovakia has selected BAE Systems’ CV90 MkIV as its new Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) after a joint bid from the Government of Sweden and BAE Systems was filed earlier this year by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and BAE Systems Hägglunds.
Following the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Slovak Republic’s feasibility report last month, the CV90 was placed in both first and second position (in two different turret variants) when measured against all requirements for the IFV program. Negotiations will now begin to finalize a production contract before the end of the year.
With the CV90 MkIV, the Slovak Army will acquire the most advanced CV90 available. Together with Slovak industry, BAE Systems is prepared to deliver the program on time and on budget. Slovakia’s requirements call for multiple variants of the CV90 MkIV, including several turreted versions and both engineer and recovery vehicles. The program also includes training and education, tactics, and future vehicle development.
This selection brings Slovakia into the CV90 User Club, which currently consists of seven countries, including four members of NATO.
“The joint Swedish FMV and BAE Systems team confirms the Swedish government’s support for Slovakia and further strengthens government-to-government relations,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. “Our approach is built on strategic collaboration with local Slovak suppliers, enabling them to play a high-value role throughout the production and lifecycle of the CV90 and all its variants.”
By working with local Slovak industry across all aspects of the contract, BAE Systems will ensure a significant level of collaboration during production to support defense industrial cooperation, jobs, and economic growth.
The CV90 is available in 15 variants and is designed to provide optimum mobility, with the highest level of protection in any terrain or tactical environment. The CV90 MkIV combines improved battlefield speeds and handling with an upgraded electronic architecture to support future growth capabilities as the battlefield evolves.
Today, there are nearly 1,300 CV90s in operation in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
