BAE Systems announced on 6 December 2024 that it had received orders for its CV9035 MkIIIC with a value of approximately $2.5 billion, including spares, support, logistics, and training.
The order under a new three-party framework agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) will see Denmark receiving one-hundred and fifteen vehicles and Sweden acquiring fifty vehicles. The agreement also includes further forty vehicles for Ukraine financed by the two governments.
MJOR General Peter Boysen Chief of the Royal Danish Army shared, “The infantry fighting vehicle is an essential component of the heavy brigade we are currently building. The 115 new vehicles will significantly enhance Denmark’s contribution to collective security and international operations. With the 44 existing vehicles, we will have a total of 159 vehicles, providing us with substantial strength – also from an international perspective”.
BAE noted in its statement on the order that the CV9035C MkIII variant is built using the same standard as the latest CV90 upgrades for the Netherlands. Given this lineage the orders will reflect a version armed with the Northrop-Grumman Bushmaster MkIII 35mm Chain Gun primary armament stabilized in two-axis in a two-man turret. It has a dual feed mechanism (70 rounds at the weapon, distributed 35/35 and 133 stowed) and remote ammunition selection. Either 35mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T) or Programable Air Burst Munition. The later can be set by the gunner for point, delay or air-burst detonation for optimum effect on the target. Containing a cluster of tungsten pellets surrounding burster charge the projectile is effective against troops, ant-tank teams, aircraft, drones, light vehicles and fortifications including targets in defilade.
Target detection, identification, and engagement are facilitated by the MkIII’s hunter/killer capability. The elevating mast mounted panoramic electro-optic sight provides for independent surveillance by the commander and then passing the target to the gunner for firing. The Gunner’s SAAB UTAAS sight has a high elevation engagement suitable for ground targets at even high elevation, as well as aircraft and drones. The MAG58 7.62mm machine gun is in a separate pod with separate higher fifty-degree elevation engagement capabilities. The fire controls also enable optimum target results by providing engagement recommendations to the crew based on the target and scenario. Sights and fire controls include high-resolution CCD daylight cameras, third generation thermal imaging, and laser ranging. This improved system allows the crew to engage targets faster and more accurately by enabling first burst on target. Use of a fully digital data and communications suite enables information to be shared on displays for the commander, gunner, driver and squad leader. The Netherlands version of the CV9035 is also equipped with two anti-tank guided missiles in a retractable launcher. Their version utilized the Rafael Spike missile; however, other missiles can be employed including the MBDA Akeron.
Survivability of the CV9035 is provided by armour with 30mm armoured piercing protection in the frontal arc and 14.5 all-around as well as hull eight kg mine protection. A defensive aids suite (DAS) consisting of laser warning receivers is integrated with eight smoke grenade launchers and will align the main weapon to the detected threat. When a warning is received the DAS computer automatically selects of the most effective self-protection countermeasure. The MkIII is also equipped with the Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) which can detect, recognize and defeat at stand-off incoming hand-held anti-armour projectiles and missiles.
The Mk-III carries a crew of three (driver, the gunner and the commander) and a seven- or eight-man Infantry-section in the rear fighting compartment. Side-wall suspended seats and spall-liners are designed to protect the occupants against effects of landmine detonations. The Infantry-section in the rear fighting compartment have access to the same information as the vehicle crew allowing them to better observe the battlefield and dismount with a clearer awareness of the situation outside the vehicle picture of what’s going on outside.
The Mk-III has an 830 hp Scania 16 litre, V-8 diesel engine coupled to the Perkins X300 fully electronic controlled transmission. With the MkIII’s improved integrated “active vehicle dynamics” and hydraulic damping suspension it is able to operate with Leopard 2 A6 MBT’s. The wide tracks are capable of during fast-moving through marshes, snow and inhospitable terrain and hostile combat environments. The CV90 is configured with a low profile to reduce its ability to be detected. In addition, the design takes special efforts to reduce its thermal/heat, near- infrared, radar signature and both engine and running gear noise signatures. In fact, Ukrainian CV90 crews have found they are able to approach to within a few hundred meters without being detected by Russian soldiers. Its improved integrated suspension also provides a smoother ride benefiting both the occupants and a stable firing platform. It’s crew/troop compartments are equipped with environmental heat and air conditioning as well as NBC protection.
The continuous upgrades and improvements made to the CV90 since its first introduction in the mid-1990s by the Swedish Army is certainly one major reason for the continued success of the system and the demand for it among the ten current users worldwide. Yet, the high marks given to the CV9040C the original vehicle model in combat experience by crews in the Ukraine today attest to the excellence of its overall design as well.
by Stephen W. Miller
