Sweden’s Armored Warrior
CV90, also known as the Combat Vehicle 90 is a versatile family of armored vehicles that was born from a necessity for high-performance combat machines during the Cold War. The Swedish Army sought vehicles offering high mobility, anti-tank capabilities, and air defense. They required vehicles with enhanced survivability and robust protection, all of which the CV90 series fulfills.
The CV9040C, a collaboration between Swedish industrial giants Bofors and Hägglunds, exhibits top-tier specifications.
Speaking of its protection capabilities, the CV90 features an all-welded steel armor hull. This robust shell allows it to withstand 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds, and later versions have reportedly stood against 30mm APFSDS. Additional modular armor can be fitted, significantly enhancing protection against threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosively formed penetrators, and larger 30mm armor-piercing rounds. Cage armor can also be added to safeguard against tandem-charge and shaped-charge warheads.
The vehicle’s design optimizes utility and defense. Depending on the variant, it can carry between six to eight soldiers. Despite modifications that added bulk and weight, the vehicle’s weight stands at 30.42 tons (27.6 metric tonnes).
Having proven its mettle in Afghanistan, the CV90 is now ready to serve in Ukraine. Its superior operational capability in extremely cold conditions, coupled with its adaptability to navigate through snow, marshes, and swamps, make it an essential addition to Ukraine’s defense artillery. The specific model sent to Ukraine is the CV9040C, a robust variant of the CV90 known for its exceptional potency and adaptability to challenging terrains.
Credit to : Interesting Engineering
