Four Nordic countries to jointly procure hundreds of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles to create a unified mechanized force.

On April 22, 2025, during a joint press conference with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed plans to jointly procure several hundred infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the CV90 type with Finland, Norway, and Lithuania. The planned procurement is expected to lead to a formal declaration of intent later in the spring. According to Kristersson, the goals of the joint acquisition include faster delivery times, reduced costs, and benefits to the defense industrial base. While the precise financial value of the agreement has not been disclosed, the number of vehicles involved was specified to be in the hundreds.
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Sweden maintains the largest fleet, with approximately 545 to 549 CV90s across several variants, including the CV9040 armed with a 40 mm cannon, as well as specialized models for command, recovery, air defense, and fire support roles. (Picture source: Swedish MoD)

As of 2025, the four countries participating in the joint CV90 procurement initiative, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Lithuania, have varying levels of experience and inventory with the CV90 family of infantry fighting vehicles. Sweden maintains the largest fleet, with approximately 545 to 549 CV90s across several variants, including the CV9040 armed with a 40 mm cannon, as well as specialized models for command, recovery, air defense, and fire support roles. This number reflects original deliveries between 1994 and 2002 and includes a later order from 2002, although 51 vehicles have since been transferred to Ukraine, and others may have been retired. Finland operates 102 CV9030 FIN vehicles, acquired in two batches in 2000 and 2004, and has initiated a mid-life update program scheduled for completion in 2026.

Norway initially purchased 104 CV9030 Mk I vehicles in the 1990s, later upgrading 103 of them to Mk III standard and acquiring 41 new Mk III vehicles. After selling 35 units to Estonia and ordering 20 more in 2021, Norway’s effective CV90 fleet stands at around 129 vehicles. Lithuania, in contrast, does not currently operate CV90s but is engaged in discussions with Sweden, Norway, and Finland as part of the proposed joint procurement. The combined CV90 inventory of Sweden, Finland, and Norway totals approximately 776 vehicles before accounting for attrition and donations, forming the basis for the planned expansion and modernization across the region.

Outside the Nordic initiative, other European countries have made comparable purchases. Slovakia acquired 152 CV9035s in 2022 for $1.37 billion, implying a unit cost of approximately $9 million. The Czech Republic announced the acquisition of 246 CV90 Mk IV vehicles in 2023 for roughly $2.2 billion. These figures suggest a recent price increase in CV90 vehicles, from €8 million to over €11 million per unit. The CV90 platform has seen service in international operations and combat zones, including Afghanistan and Ukraine, where it has proven effective in various environments. Its mobility and firepower make it well-suited to support infantry in mechanized formations. The vehicle’s survivability is enhanced with optional cage armor against rocket-propelled grenades, along with continued improvements in ergonomics and digital systems. With a top speed of 65 km/h and powered by a Scania DI 16 engine delivering 550 hp, the CV90 offers agility and protection in equal measure.

Finland operates 102 CV9030 FIN vehicles, acquired in two batches in 2000 and 2004, and has initiated a mid-life update program scheduled for completion in 2026. (Picture source: Finnish MoD)

A joint Nordic vehicle platform would reduce logistical complexity, enhance interoperability, and lower lifecycle costs. Current discussions among Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark emphasize harmonization of equipment, development standards, and operational requirements. According to Maj. Gen. Jonny Lindfors, Chief of the Swedish Army, the goal is to implement “cross-development, cross-buying, and cross-use” to ensure shared supply chains and maintainability across the region. Maj. Gen. Lars Lervik of Norway has similarly noted that country-specific configurations should be avoided.

While discussions continue, the projected total number of CV90s to be replaced or supplemented across the four countries could approach 870 units. This figure includes existing CV90s and approximately 100 BMP-2 IFVs in Finland due for replacement. Maintaining or slightly increasing current inventories will require extensive funding. Based on current estimates, the total cost of replacing 870 vehicles at €9 million per unit could reach approximately €8 billion. However, delivery will occur incrementally, depending on vehicle age, budget cycles, and operational needs. The Nordic CV90 initiative is also part of broader defense integration. In addition to IFV standardization, the four countries have agreed to adopt common military uniforms and are working on making 155mm artillery ammunition interchangeable. These measures reflect a strategic shift toward joint procurement and operational unification among NATO members in Northern Europe. With rising concerns over regional security, particularly due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, collective defense readiness is being prioritized.

Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has emphasized that any large-scale procurement must involve competitive bidding and detailed evaluation of performance and cost. Alternatives to the CV90 remain under consideration, especially for next-generation platforms. Potential competitors include the Rheinmetall Lynx and the KNDS Puma, both of which have been adopted or evaluated by various NATO nations. The U.S.-based General Dynamics also remains a potential option due to its involvement in the U.S. Army's XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program. Sweden’s leadership has acknowledged that while further CV90 acquisitions would be a logical step, other systems may also be suitable. The outcome of this process will likely shape Northern European mechanized forces for decades to come.

The Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90), known in Swedish as Stridsfordon 90, was developed in the 1980s by Hägglunds and Bofors to meet the Swedish Army's requirement for a modern, tracked infantry fighting vehicle suitable for Northern European terrain. (Picture source: Swedish MoD)

The Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90), referred to in Sweden as Stridsfordon 90 (Strf 90), is a family of tracked IFVs developed in the 1980s by Hägglunds and Bofors to meet the Swedish Armed Forces’ requirement for a new tracked infantry fighting vehicle. The earlier Swedish tracked personnel carrier, the Pbv 302, had been in service since the early 1960s and was armed with a turret-mounted 20 mm automatic cannon. The CV90 was designed specifically for Nordic conditions, emphasizing mobility in snow and soft terrain. The first production variant, equipped with a Bofors 40 mm automatic cannon, was delivered to Sweden in the early 1990s and designated CV9040. Hägglunds later became part of BAE Systems, which currently manufactures the CV90 under the BAE Systems Hägglunds name. In Finland’s case, turrets for the CV9030 FIN version were assembled domestically by Patria Land Systems in Hämeenlinna, while the hulls were delivered from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. CV90 production began in 1993, and over 1,300 units have since been delivered to a total of nine countries.

The CV90 platform has evolved into a family of vehicles with multiple variants and marks over time. The original CV9040 remains in service with Sweden and is armed with a 40 mm Bofors automatic cannon. Export variants include the CV9030, which is equipped with a 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and operated by Finland (CV9030 FIN), Norway (CV9030N), and Switzerland, and the CV9035, equipped with a 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon, used by Denmark (CV9035DK) and the Netherlands. Norway initially acquired 104 CV9030 Mk I vehicles and later upgraded them to Mk III standard while ordering 41 additional Mk III units. Denmark ordered 45 CV9035DK vehicles in 2005 and, in 2024, committed to purchasing 115 CV9035 Mk IIIC vehicles. Sweden's CV9040 fleet includes multiple sub-variants such as command vehicles (Stripbv 90), artillery observation vehicles (Epbv 90), recovery vehicles (Bgbv 90), and air defense vehicles (Lvkv 90).

Sweden also fields versions equipped with the Mjölner twin mortar system (SSG 120). Some variants, like the Epbv 90 and Bgbv 90, had reached the end of their service life by the early 2000s. In 2016, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration initiated a refurbishment and modification program (REMO) for 262 vehicles, with work completed between 2019 and 2022. Across all operators, modernization programs have led to successive mark upgrades (Mk I to Mk IV), integrating enhanced digital systems, increased engine power, and additional protection features such as cage armor and MEXAS composite panels. CV90-based platforms have also been adapted for testing unmanned turrets and hybrid propulsion in international development projects.