The approval follows the announcement by the Slovak defense ministry on the choice of BAE Systems as its preferred solution for the tracked vehicle variant of its vehicle modernization program.

“Slovakia will sign a government to government contract for the delivery of 152 BAE Hägglunds CV90 MkIV tracked IFVs from Sweden in an effort to build heavy mechanized brigade, reinforce its defense and support local industry,” Slovak defense minister Jaroslav Nad said.

The CV90, which will be equipped with a 35 mm cannon, will be procured through an intergovernmental contract with the Kingdom of Sweden.

Slovakia has earmarked 1.688 billion euros for the procurement of the vehicles. Earlier this year, the country revealed the choice of Patria’s AMVXP 8×8 for the wheeled IFV variant. The initial contract is for 76 wheeled IFVs, but some 500 units are expected to be purchased eventually.

These vehicles will gradually replace up to half a century old obsolete equipment of the ground forces.

With a new engine, the MkIV CV90 boasts up to 1,000 horsepower and the upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission. The gross vehicle weight rating is increased from 35 tons to 37 tons, offering users two tons of extra payload without a decrease in vehicle agility. The MkIV generation will also be the first western IFV with a qualified active protection system, according to BAE Systems.

The primary subcontractor will be the state company ZTS – ŠPECIÁL, while dozens of other Slovak state and private companies will benefit from the project in the long run, Naď added.

As revealed, the CV90 was selected over the Rheinmetall Lynx KF41, which was to be delivered from Hungary, and the ASCOD vehicle proposed by Spain’s GDELS.

Interestingly, the second-best proposal was also a CV90, but with a different – 30 mm cannon.

With this procurement, Slovakia is joining the armed forces of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Estonia, who already operate the CV90.