BAE Systems is very much a proponent of the growing use of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) by the Czech Republic. Following its attendance at the Future Forces trade show in Prague and an announcement by the governments of the Czech Republic and Sweden to deliver new CV90s to the Czech Army, BAE indicated a 40% minimum commitment to collaborate with Czech industrial partners on delivery of parts and services required for the IFV.
The CV90 is a highly mobile ground vehicle. It has 15 variants in service for nearly 1,300 total CV90s in seven countries, including Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. The latest version from BAE features a new engine capable of delivering up to 1,000 hp and managing as much as 37 tons of payload. It incorporates an advanced turret and is available with an optional unmanned turret. BAE’s participation with Czech industry on the CV90 program is as one of more than 30 companies involved with delivering new CV90 vehicles to the Czech Armed Forces.
Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, president of BAE Systems Hägglunds, said, “We remain fully committed to our strategy of close cooperation with Czech industry and we are prepared to work with them to build new capabilities in the development, production, and support of modern combat vehicles such as the CV90, by taking a role in all phases of its production and subsequent lifecycle.”
Gustafsson-Rask added, “In addition, we intend to offer the Czech industrial and academic communities the opportunities to become part of the ongoing technological development of the CV90 platform for all user nations.” As part of its proposal, BAE is planning for production of some CV90 components in the Czech Republic as well as final assembly of CV90 IFVs.
BAE Systems is already working with the Czech Technical University in Prague on cybersecurity for military platforms and would like to expand this academic cooperation to research on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for such platforms.