BAE Systems has signed two contracts worth approximately $32 million for its market-leading Bofors 57mm 3P (Pre-fragmented, Programmable, Proximity- fused) advanced ammunition in a combined procurement from both the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command (FDF LOG COM). The 3P ammunition is designed for the Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system, which is the standard naval gun in both the Swedish and Finnish navies. The company also produces a 40mm 3P which can be fired from the Bofors 40 Mk4 gun system. Both variants can be programmed in six different function modes. It can also be fired from combat vehicles, such as the Swedish Army’s CV90s, which are equipped with a Bofors 40mm turret.
Sweden is ordering a large stock of the Bofors 57mm 3P advanced ammunition, for an order value of approximately $18 million. This is a critical step for the Swedish Armed Forces as they continue their efforts to increase readiness in the face of the current security situation in Central Europe. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration also has a contract option for additional quantities in 2023. Finland is also ordering a considerable stock of rounds of the ammunition, valued at approximately $14 million. This is an important step in reinforcing the security of supplies as Finland, and in particular the Finnish Navy, also confirms its readiness.
“Our customers in Sweden and Finland are investing in our advanced 3P ammunition as part of their plans to increase preparedness in a more dynamic security situation. We continue to see interest from other potential customers who are looking for the flexibility and adaptability that our 3P products bring,” said Stefan Löfström, director of marketing and sales at BAE Systems Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden.
BAE Systems’ 57mm Mk110 (internationally known as the Bofors’ 57Mk3) is a series of dual-purpose naval guns designed and produced by the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors (since March 2005 part of BAE Systems AB), designed in the late 1960s as a replacement design for the twin barreled Bofors 57 mm Naval Automatic Gun L/60. The gun is remotely controlled by a fire-control computer but can as a redundancy measure also be operated manually by crew using instrument panels either on or in direct contact with the gun. The 57mm Mk110 has this flexibility, which is proven by the fact that it is the deck gun of choice for the US Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter and offshore patrol cutter classes of ships, as well as for the U.S. Navy’s LCS ships.
