BAE Systems rolls out latest combat vehicle for Czech Army
Above: BAE Systems Hägglunds Managing Director Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová and Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonsson mark the milestone with commemorative plaques, standing in front of the first CV9030 MkIV vehicle.
Courtesy BAE Systems
The rollout ceremony, hosted by Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson welcomed Czech Minister of Defence Jana Černochová and marked a significant step in strengthening the Czech Republic’s defence capabilities and fulfilling its commitments to NATO.
This vehicle is the first of 246 CV90s to be delivered by BAE Systems and its Czech industry partners, of which 39 vehicles will be produced at BAE Systems facilities in Sweden and 207 in the Czech Republic, with final deliveries expected in 2030. The phased delivery ensures a smooth transition to the new capability, allowing the Czech Army to train crews, integrate the platform into its mechanised brigades and maintain operational readiness throughout the process.
“The CV90 provides an unrivalled combination of mobility, firepower and protection and will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Czech Army,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. “This is just the beginning – by joining the CV90 User Club, the Czech Republic also gains access to a community of experienced operators across Europe, enabling the exchange of operational insights, joint training opportunities, and accelerated introduction of future upgrades.”
The rollout milestone follows the three-party Agreement between the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Sweden and BAE Systems Hägglunds, underscoring the Czech Republic’s determination to modernise its armed forces and provide its soldiers with the most advanced combat equipment available in Europe.
“Today is proof that we are not just talking about the modernization of the Army but working hard to make it a reality,” said Černochová. “This is an important moment for the security of the Czech Republic. The CV90 project represents months of negotiations, hundreds of people and thousands of hours of work. I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts, Czech soldiers will receive in the CV90 the very best that the defence industry has to offer.”
The CV90 MkIV is the newest generation of the combat-proven CV90 family, designed to give soldiers decisive advantages on the modern battlefield. Combining exceptional mobility, superior firepower and advanced protection systems, the vehicle ensures Czech forces can operate effectively across the full spectrum of conflict, from high-intensity warfare to peacekeeping missions.
It is equipped with a 30 mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon, advanced fire control systems and next-generation sensors that deliver superior situational awareness. Modular armour packages and active protection systems provide enhanced survivability against kinetic and explosive threats, while its powerful engine and adaptive suspension enable unmatched mobility in challenging terrain.
Its adaptability allows it to counter a wide range of ground and airborne threats and its all-terrain resilience guarantees operational readiness in any environment.
The rollout was characterised by the alliance of steel, innovation, and cooperation that is the CV9030MkIV programme. The contract, valued at SEK 22 billion ($2.2 billion), provides highly capable vehicles for Czech soldiers while providing Czech industry a significant role in the programme to the value of 40% of the contract.
The extensive cooperation with local industries includes development, production, and system integration. It benefits the country’s industry directly by bolstering the local defence sector, granting access to BAE Systems’ global supply chain, expanding opportunities for cooperation and enhancing local competitiveness, while also increasing its national security of supply and maintaining national sovereignty. This combination of advanced technology, domestic industrial participation and international partnership, ensures that the Czech Army’s new infantry fighting vehicles shall remain at the forefront of NATO’s land combat capabilities for decades to come.
"I am proud that we today can confirm this important milestone in the deliveries of the CV90 to our Czech partner,” said Jonson. “The CV90 now constitutes an important cornerstone in the armed forces of several countries and it has proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine and in the defence of Europe. The Czech Republic will now receive a battle-tested, efficient and successful combat vehicle."
