Nordic Terrain Solutions AB (NTS) has signed a contract with he Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk, FMV) The contract covers the renovation and modification of track wagon 206 and 208. The deliveries will be an important part of ensuring the capability and mobility of the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) for many years to come. The company Nordic Terrain Solutions is jointly owned by the companies Svekon, Granit Teknikbyrå, Huddig, Staffare and Swedish Power Improvement. The project team consists of experts from the respective companies who work together to ensure a delivery that meets the customer’s requirements. The contract value amounts to approximately SEK 820 million.
The Swedish Armed Forces’ Bandvagn 206/208 tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier were acquired in the late 1970s and are now in need of refurbishment to extend the vehicles’ life and improve their performance. Through a new agreement with FMV which includes the renovation and modification of at least 800 units with an option for up to 250 more.. The project aims to extend the service life by 15 years and at the same time switch fuel for the entire Bandvagn system fleet to diesel. The project includes, in addition to replacing the engines and gearbox, also tools and spare parts, training of drivers and technicians and updating of existing documentation. Within NTS are all the skills and abilities required to carry out an undertaking of this kind.
Bandvagn 206 (Bv 206) (meaning “Tracked Vehicle 206” in English) is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier developed by Hägglunds (now part of BAE Systems AB) for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered. It can carry up to 17 people, 6 in the front compartment, 11 in the rear. The trailer unit can be adapted for different uses. Like its predecessor, the Volvo Bv 202, the Bv 206 is designed to carry troops and equipment through snow and bog-lands in northern Sweden. The low ground pressure enables the Bv 206 to cope with a wide range of difficult conditions. It is fully amphibious, with a speed in water of up to 4.7 kilometres per hour (2.9 mph). Over 11,000 have been produced and they are used in more than 37 countries worldwide.
The BV 206 is smaller and can carry up to 17 people (including the driver) or a payload of about 2.5 tons. The BV 208, on the other hand, is larger and has a higher payload capacity, able to carry up to 8 tons or 16 people. The BV 206 has a two-carriage design, where two units (front and rear) are articulated, connected by a flexible joint. The BV 208 has a more traditional single-carriage design, resembling a larger, more robust vehicle.The BV 206 is commonly used for personnel transport, logistics support, and as a platform for various types of specialized equipment. The BV 208 is typically employed for heavier cargo transport or as a carrier for specialized equipment in more demanding terrains.
