The work of Swedish engineers. What the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle can do in the Ukrainian army

The Ukrainian army is the operator of a large number of different combat vehicles. Among these is the CV9040 BMP, which is the product of Swedish engineers and of which more than 50 vehicles have been delivered. Focus I understood what was known about them and how they performed in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The Swedish defense industry is one of the most advanced in the world. It produces fighter jets, infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, all-terrain vehicles and a number of other vehicles. Ukraine has become the operator of many different types of weapons, including 50 CV9040 infantry fighting vehicles. The vehicles entered the Ukrainian army with Barracuda technological camouflage. The combat vehicle is in service with the 21st separate mechanized brigade and the 93rd separate mechanized brigade “Kholodny Yar”.

What is special about Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles?

CV90 is a family of Swedish infantry fighting vehicles developed by Hägglunds in 1984 and currently owned by the British company BAE Systems. The equipment was created on a single chassis by order of the Swedish ground forces. Many modifications have been created over the years of production in Sweden, here are just a few of them CV90:

• CV9040 – with a 40 mm Bofors L70 gun, the main vehicle of the Swedish army. Ukraine got it;
• CV9030 – export version with 30 mm Bushmaster II gun;
• CV9035 – export version with 35 mm Bushmaster III gun;
• CV90120 – with 120 mm gun and no troop compartments;

Additionally, the CV9040 has its own A, B, or C designations that indicate various upgrades. The Armed Forces of Ukraine received the CV9040C version with additional protection and climate control, modified for international operations. The vehicle is also suitable for training warriors.

There is a boiler in the troop compartment for heating food or making tea.

The Ukrainian army notes the high maneuverability, accuracy of the L70 automatic cannon and its high level of protection.

Information has emerged that Ukraine wants to purchase 1000 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in 2023, which would potentially cost $10 billion. And already at the beginning of 2024, in February, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that negotiations with Sweden on the supply of additional CV90 vehicles are ongoing. The partners formed the CV90 coalition, which includes Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Finland and the Czech Republic. They will work to ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces receive additional vehicles. President Vladimir Zelensky also stated that Swedish CV90s will be produced in Ukraine.

armor and weapons

In several reports from journalists all fighters note the protection of the CV90. In some episodes, the car even withstood a blow from the Russian Lancet kamikaze drone.

“The armor is very strong, it can withstand a Lancet, an FPV gun and a 120 round. The crew suffered shell shock but also fought back on their own,” said the deputy commander of the CV90 crew. Call sign “Drone”.

The CV90’s armor guarantees all-round protection of the crew against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Frontal projection must withstand 30mm bullets. It is also possible to install additional MEXAS ceramic armor that will provide protection against 30 mm on all projections. The latest versions of the vehicle can withstand explosions from anti-tank mines. The seats inside the vehicle are attached to the ceiling to reduce the impact energy of the fighters.

For comparison: the Soviet BMP-1 has protection against 75-mm machine guns from a distance of 7,62 meters and a 23-mm projectile in frontal projection. However, in combat operations, protection against both machine guns and bullets and mines appears to be weak.

According to the Janes portal, as of September 2023, the Russian Armed Forces have disabled 3 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, one of them was captured. But in all cases the Ukrainian crew survived.

The fire rate of the 40 mm caliber Bofors L70 automatic cannon is 240-33 rounds per minute. The firing range is 3 km. The combat module also includes a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The APFSDS-T sub-caliber projectile has a penetration of 150 mm at a range of 1500 meters.

Advanced Barracuda – what is known about camouflage

The Swedish company Saab developed and produced the Barracuda multi-spectrum camouflage. Not only the CV90 in the Ukrainian army, but also the Strv90 tanks (Leopard 2A5 Swedish modernization) are equipped with it. It was created to reduce the visibility of equipment in six spectrums:

• UV;
• image;
• near infrared (NIR);
• shortwave infrared (SWIR);
• thermal infrared;
• radio detection.

According to the Ukrainian military, in real combat Swedish vehicles are approximately 70% less visible with various optical means. Barracuda also protects equipment from outside heat and dust while being stealthy.

Western infantry fighting vehicles are free of “childhood diseases” because they have been improved repeatedly over decades of operation. Thanks to the CV90, the Ukrainian army can position itself inside the troop compartment, instead of sitting on top of the vehicle as is usually the case with Soviet vehicles. The vehicle is suitable for landing from inside.