The Armed Forces of Ukraine have received a lot of powerful equipment from their Western allies since Russia invaded the country. One of the newest weapons is the CV9035NL. Sweden and Denmark have announced plans to jointly produce 35 units of the CV9035NL Mid-Life Update for Ukraine.
Defense News reports that Denmark will pay for the vehicles while Sweden will build them for Kiev. The CV9035NL is the same version as the one purchased by the Netherlands, weighing around 38 tons and can carry 11 soldiers into battle, among other advantages.
New thermally stabilized sights
According to Forbes, the CV9035NL will be the only infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine’s arsenal that can offer its commander a thermally stabilized sight, an important feature when it comes to night fighting. The commander’s sight also has a third-generation thermal vision system, equipped with a laser rangefinder. The rangefinder can locate a target from more than 9.6km away and the vehicle’s gunner also gets the same system.
How the systems will help in combat
“This means that both the commander and the gunner can search for targets independently, day or night, and with high resolution,” explains an article in Forbes, signed by David Axe. Another important feature of the CV9035NL has to do with crew survivability. There is a warning system equipped with the vehicle capable of alerting it when it is targeted by laser rangefinders or laser-guided munitions. This early warning system should allow crews to let off smoke and use suppressive fire to escape their enemies in battle.
Manufactured by BAE Systems
Developed and manufactured by Hägglunds, a BAE Systems unit in Sweden, the CV90 family of vehicles offers high-level tactical and strategic mobility, anti-aircraft defense, anti-tank capability, high survivability and protection in any terrain or tactical environment. The CV90 is the world’s leading infantry fighting vehicle and is constantly evolving to maintain its leadership position thanks to the contributions of the armed forces that use and rely on its performance, as well as an active protection system known as Iron Fist and considered “revolutionary” by the company.
Currently, more than 1,300 CV90 units are in service in eight countries. Recently, Slovakia (152 vehicles) and the Czech Republic (246 vehicles) placed additional orders for a further 398 units.
The Iron Fist active protection system
“The Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) offers high-performance protection against anti-tank threats, while increasing the survivability of the platform or vehicle,” Elbit Systems describes on its website. Iron First enables open battlefield operations and is effective against all anti-tank threats. The system provides 360° coverage for surveillance vision and situational awareness.
According to an article published by Forbes, Iron First can detect and intercept missiles and explosives such as small projectiles, but added that it is unclear whether the CV9035NL vehicles produced for Ukraine by Denmark and Sweden will have this capability.
Interior protection for crew and soldiers
Like other models of the CV90, the version sent to Ukraine has seats attached to the roof and sides of the vehicle, which provides a degree of protection against mines and other explosives hitting the sides of the weapon. “There is a fragment coating that reduces the chances of shrapnel injuring the occupants. The turret of the new vehicle has a new armor composition,” David Axe explained of CV9035NL, “but its exact formulation is a secret.”
As for firepower, the CV9035NL boasts a 35-millimeter Bushmaster Mark III, which, according to Army Guide, can fire more than 200 rounds per minute. “The Bushmaster can fire armor-piercing, fragmentation and sabotage projectiles, but it is the smaller size of the projectile – which translates into a greater ammunition load – that is the main benefit,” added David Axe. The CV9035NL also comes equipped with a side turret launcher for anti-tank missiles, along with its main cannon, armor and advanced sights. It could prove to be one of the best vehicles in Ukraine’s arsenal. All at a price tag of 9 million dollars.
Read also: