Denmark has solidified a major defense procurement by finalizing an agreement with BAE Systems Hägglunds to acquire 115 CV90 MkIIIC combat vehicles. This deal, valued at DKK 9.975 billion (EUR 1.35 billion), will significantly enhance the Danish Army’s armored vehicle fleet. The CV9035 MkIIIC variant, which Denmark is acquiring, is the same model recently ordered by Sweden to replace vehicles donated to Ukraine. The purchase was officially confirmed following a joint visit by the Danish and Swedish Prime Ministers to BAE Systems Hägglunds’ manufacturing facility in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The deal also appears on the European Union’s official procurement portal, Tenders Electronic Daily (TED). Local Danish contractors will collaborate with BAE Systems’ Swedish facility in Hägglunds to execute this project between 2026 and 2029.
A separate but related agreement was signed earlier, with BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds winning a SEK 1.7 billion order from the Danish Army for an additional 45 CV9035 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Hydrema Export A/S will partner with Hägglunds in producing these vehicles, and discussions are underway to explore further industrial collaboration, including long-term maintenance and upgrade support. BAE Systems has sold a total of 1,170 CV90 vehicles to six nations, providing operational advantages such as coordination of upgrades, spare parts logistics, and interoperability during international missions. Ten of these vehicles have already been upgraded for international operations.
In March 2024, a mid-life upgrade (MLU) contract was signed between the Danish Army’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization and BAE Systems. The upgrade includes equipping the fleet with the advanced D-series turret, which improves vehicle balance and allows the integration of additional armaments. Each vehicle will also be fitted with rubber tracks to reduce weight and create more space for new systems, while also decreasing vibration and noise to lessen long-term biomechanical strain on CV90 personnel. The modernization project will also focus on ergonomic enhancements to improve crew comfort and performance, along with data analysis to further optimize user experience. Additionally, these upgraded CV90s will be outfitted with anti-tank guided missiles and BAE’s proprietary electronic warfare and countermeasures sensor suite, significantly enhancing their defensive and offensive capabilities.
The CV90 platform, which first entered service in Sweden in the mid-1990s, has undergone continuous evolution since its inception. Designed initially by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Hägglunds & Söner, and Bofors, the CV90 has adapted to meet modern battlefield demands. The latest iteration, the CV9035 MkIIIC, represents the pinnacle of modern combat vehicle technology, offering advanced firepower, protection, mobility, and ergonomics. The CV9035 MkIIIC’s main armament is a Bushmaster III 35/50 cannon with an ammunition programmer, controlled by a computerized fire control system. Both the vehicle’s gunner and commander benefit from stabilized day and night sights, with the gunner equipped with a third-generation thermal night camera. The vehicle’s crew consists of three personnel, supported by a seven-man infantry squad.
