Czech state-owned defense enterprise VOP CZ has formally commenced localized assembly of CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for the Czech Armed Forces following the delivery of initial vehicle hulls from BAE Systems Hägglunds’ facility in Sweden. The arrival of the chassis at the Šenov manufacturing plant marks the operational launch of domestic assembly and completes the initial transfer of key platform technologies under the procurement program. Under the industrial partnership, the Czech Republic plans to acquire more than 200 CV90 platforms to replace aging armored assets, with the first 13 vehicles being assembled directly at BAE Systems’ Swedish facility to baseline manufacturing standards before serial output fully transitions to the Czech Republic.
Each vehicle configuration comprises more than 3,000 individual components, requiring several months of complex systems integration per chassis during initial production phases. Once manufacturing reaches full capacity, VOP CZ targets a steady-state production throughput of approximately 10 vehicles per month. Prior to formal acceptance by the Czech Armed Forces, every completed vehicle will undergo a rigorous validation process at the enterprise’s dedicated test range, including dozens of kilometers of mobility trials and exhaustive diagnostics covering onboard vetronics, primary armament systems, and tactical communication suites.
“This is a pivotal moment for the Czech defence industry. It is not just about the production of modern military equipment, but also about acquiring know-how that will remain in the Czech Republic for the future. This is essential for our self-sufficiency and our ability to respond to new security challenges,” said Vlastimil Navrátil, Director of VOP CZ.
“The start of CV90 vehicle assembly directly in the Czech Republic represents a significant milestone for the entire programme and confirms the successful transfer of technology and know-how between BAE Systems Hägglunds and the Czech defence industry. As a result, VOP CZ is becoming part of the modern European production and service base for the CV90 platform. We are proud that Czech companies and experts will play a key role not only in the production of vehicles for the Czech Army, but we also believe they will play a key role in their long-term support, maintenance and further development,” said Henrik Gyllencreutz, a representative of BAE Systems Hägglunds.
To accommodate the platform, VOP CZ built two state-of-the-art production lines in Šenov designed identically to BAE Systems Hägglunds’ primary Swedish assembly facility. The upgrade forms part of an infrastructure modernization investment exceeding CZK80 million ($3.5 million), aimed at expanding both technical tooling and specialized personnel capacity. Beyond core vehicle assembly, VOP CZ is establishing comprehensive organic support infrastructure to manage life-cycle maintenance, depot-level repairs, and future capability upgrades, while integrating secondary Czech defense suppliers directly into the component manufacturing baseline. Other companies in the Czech defence industry are also involved in the entire production programme, supplying components and technologies.
