The Netherlands has reached an agreement with Swedish defense firm BAE Systems Hägglunds to procure additional CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for the Royal Netherlands Army.
Budgeted at 1.3 billion euros ($1.45 billion), the procurement will equip a new armored infantry battalion within the Army’s 13th (Medium) Brigade.
The package includes spare parts, maintenance kits, ammunition, and communications equipment, Dutch State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk said in a response to parliament.
“Taking into account a possible large-scale conflict, it is important that the Army has sufficient combat capability,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense said.
The Netherlands is also procuring additional bridge-laying tanks, armored breaching vehicles, tracked armored support vehicles, and Wisent-2 heavy recovery vehicles. The latter two types will be supplied by German firm Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft.
CV90 Nordic Edition
The Netherlands will procure the CV90s through the multinational Nordic Programme, which includes Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia. Sweden will lead the joint purchase, helping accelerate deliveries and strengthen cooperation among European allies.
The CV90 Nordic Edition is a military-off-the-shelf variant combining an upgraded chassis with the Dutch configuration’s midlife-upgraded turret. The Netherlands will largely adopt the standard configuration, making only essential changes, such as to IT systems.
Designed for mobility and firepower in demanding conditions, including subarctic environments, the CV90 can carry up to eight personnel and reach speeds of 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour.
Mid-Life Upgrade
The Royal Netherlands Army’s 122 CV90s are undergoing a $500-million mid-life upgrade by BAE Systems Hägglunds to improve protection against evolving threats.
The modernization includes turret redesigns to improve human-machine interaction and reduce detection, identification, and engagement times. An active protection system will also be integrated to defend against anti-tank missiles.
The program was initially expected to be completed by 2026.
