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BAE Systems Land Systems Hagglunds has won a DKr 1.675 billion (about $258 million) order to supply 45 CV90-35 MkIII Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) to the Danish Army. The Danish ministry notes that the vehicles’ “main task will be international operations,” and that the purchase is intended to “increase firepower, mobility, ability to deploy, protection of the crews and the ability to operate in network centric warfare environments.” This contract also includes weapon systems, equipment for personal protection and a C4ISR system to be mounted on the vehicles.
This latest order brings the number of CV90 series vehicle customers to six (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland) and total orders and deliveries to 1,170 vehicles. The CV90-35 MkIII, in service with The Netherlands and soon Denmark as well, incorporates a number of improvements over previous CV90-30 export versions.
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The CV90 comes in a number of variants, including IFVs, up-gunned 105mm and even 120mm assault guns and tank killers, reconnaissance and forward observation, forward command vehicle, armored recovery, and anti-aircraft variants. The CV90-35 MkIII is a new-generation CV90 IFV, with improved firepower, protection, mobility and ergonomics plus an advanced electronics architecture. The CV90-35 MkIII features a Bushmaster III 35/50 cannon (hence the designation), Saab UTAAS fire control system with ammunition programmer, independent commander’s sights located in a rotating cupola for hunter-killer operating mode, and commander and gunner stabilized day/night sights with third generation thermal cameras. The coaxial machine gun is fitted with increased elevation, for urban warfare situations.
The Mk III also has a new armor package with increased protection against top-attack weapons and mines, and is fitted with Hagglunds’ defensive aids suite (DAS) with linked laser warner and smoke grenades. The main armament is also linked with the DAS to engage potential threats with effective counterfire. The vehicle has a crew complement of 3 and capacity for a further 7 personnel, is air conditioned, and is fully protected for operation under chemical, biological, and radioactive conditions.
UPDATE: Speaking of the UTAAS fire control system, on December 23, 2005, Saab Systems announced an MSEK 140 order ($17 million) from BAE’s Land Systems Hagglunds AB for the Danish Army’s CV9035 Combat Vehicles. UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti Aircraft System) is a modular fire director and fire control system that offers direct fire capability, which means that the gunner can take aim independently of the vehicle’s movements while the fire control system automatically aligns the gun.
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Deliveries of the CV90-35 Mk IIIs will commence in August 2007, with the last vehicles to arrive late 2009. Danish company Hydrema Export A/S will partner BAE Systems for production of the vehicles. The two companies will jointly investigate the possibility of through-life support for both maintenance and upgrades.
Meanwhile, the Danish Army is reportedly leasing up to 4 CV90-40C in 2004 and up to 15 CV90-40A in 2005. The CV90-40 series serves as Sweden’s IFV, and is fitted with a Bofors 40 mm cannon, a stabilized turret and additional ballistic and mine protection.
