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CV9035 MkIV Rollout, 2025, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

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A significant milestone in European land forces modernization unfolded in Sweden as the CV9035 MkIV for the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic was officially unveiled during a ceremonial rollout at BAE Systems Hägglunds. The event brought together senior defence leadership from both countries, with Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson welcoming Slovak Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák alongside high-ranking military officials. On the surface it was a formal handover moment, but underneath it marked a deeper shift: Slovakia firmly stepping into a new generation of tracked infantry fighting vehicles aligned with NATO standards and long-term interoperability goals.

The rollout comes as the first of 152 vehicles has already rolled off the production line in the second half of 2025 and entered an extensive testing phase in Sweden. This program, delivered under a government-to-government agreement between Slovakia and Sweden, stands out as one of the largest modernization efforts undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in decades. Beyond the hardware itself, it signals a strategic commitment to reinforce NATO readiness with platforms that are already combat-proven and widely operated across Europe.

From an industrial perspective, the Slovak CV90 program is deliberately structured around local participation rather than simple procurement. More than 40 percent of the contract value is tied to Slovak industry, with nearly 30 domestic companies already integrated into the supply chain, and more being added as the program matures. Firms such as Hriňovské Strojárne, Konštrukta–Defense, MSM Land Systems, S.M.S. spol sro, STV Machinery, and ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde Slovakia are now part of the production ecosystem. This approach strengthens security of supply, embeds technical know-how locally, and lays the groundwork for Slovak companies to take part in future CV90 upgrades and international programs well beyond the current national deliveries.

Technically, the CV9035 MkIV represents the most advanced evolution of the CV90 family to date. The Slovak configuration features a 35mm Bushmaster III cannon paired with an advanced fire control system and a fully modern digital architecture. An active protection system and an integrated advanced anti-tank guided missile capability significantly expand its effectiveness across multiple domains, not just in classic infantry support roles. Enhanced ballistic and mine protection, combined with a more powerful engine delivering up to 1,000 horsepower, give the MkIV both survivability and mobility advantages, while its open architecture allows future sensors and weapon systems to be integrated as operational needs evolve.

For crews, the focus is clearly on survivability and situational awareness. The vehicle is designed to reduce cognitive load in complex combat environments, offering better visibility, faster threat detection, and improved command-and-control integration. Just as importantly, the MkIV was conceived as a platform that can grow over time, reinforcing its value as a long-term investment rather than a fixed, short-cycle acquisition. That design philosophy matters, especially as European armies plan around decades-long service lives and rapidly evolving threat landscapes.

Slovakia now joins a growing community of CV90 operators across Europe, with the platform already in service in eight countries and additional NATO and EU members receiving vehicles currently in production. Participation in the CV90 User Club adds another layer of value, enabling shared operational lessons, coordinated training, and collaborative development of future upgrades. Taken together, the rollout in Sweden was less about a single vehicle and more about integration: industrial, operational, and strategic, all converging around a platform built for the realities of modern European defence.

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