Sweden Strengthens Artillery with BAE Systems BONUS Precision Anti Armor Guided Shells.

According to information released by BAE Systems on June 13, 2025, the company has entered into a new agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the supply of additional BONUS 155mm precision-guided artillery munitions to the Swedish Armed Forces. The contract, valued at approximately $62 million, represents the third procurement of this munition type by Sweden since 2017. This development further consolidates the long-term cooperation between BAE Systems Bofors and Sweden’s defense authorities in the area of advanced artillery solutions.
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The BONUS munition is specifically designed to improve the efficiency of 155mm indirect fire systems by combining extended range and autonomous target engagement. (Picture source: BAE Systems)

The BONUS munition is specifically designed to improve the efficiency of 155mm indirect fire systems by combining extended range and autonomous target engagement. Each shell contains two submunitions equipped with independent sensors capable of detecting and attacking separate targets within a footprint of up to 32,000 square meters. The munition is characterized by a base-bleed propulsion design, which reduces air resistance and increases the projectile's range to a maximum of 35 kilometers when launched from a NATO-standard L52 gun barrel. The BONUS round is compatible with the majority of existing 155mm artillery systems, allowing for integration without the need for specialized launch platforms.

Operationally, BONUS enables engagement of a wide spectrum of armored threats. This includes, but is not limited to, infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery. Once deployed mid-flight, the two submunitions descend over the target area and use multi-mode sensors to scan and identify valid targets based on shape, thermal signature, and other distinct characteristics. This process ensures that both submunitions can engage different vehicles independently, increasing the likelihood of neutralizing multiple assets per firing cycle.

Henrik Knape, Ammunition Sales Director at BAE Systems Bofors, stated that the acquisition of additional BONUS munitions would support the continuity of Sweden’s indirect fire capability and enhance operational readiness. The system is already in operational service with several allied forces, including those of Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Its wide adoption underlines its interoperability with NATO-standard systems and its adaptability to different combat environments.

Jointly developed by BAE Systems Bofors in Sweden and Nexter Systems in France, BONUS reflects European industrial cooperation in advanced munitions. The system is particularly suited for use with modern artillery platforms such as the BAE Systems ARCHER, a self-propelled howitzer currently operated by the Swedish Army. Within such a system, BONUS offers a rapid-response solution against mobile or concealed armored targets without requiring real-time target designation from forward observers or drone feeds.

This latest contract award not only underscores the continued relevance of sensor-fuzed munitions in modern artillery doctrine but also affirms Sweden’s strategy of maintaining a technologically robust and autonomous defense capability. The delivery of these additional BONUS rounds strengthens national defense preparedness and aligns with the broader trend among NATO members to field high-precision, scalable artillery solutions capable of defeating well-protected enemy assets in complex operational scenarios.