Image source: topwar.ru
The Swedish Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of the first upgraded tank, designated Stridsvagn 123A, from the facilities of the German concern KNDS Deutschland.
In October 2023, the country's military department instructed KNDS Deutschland to upgrade a total of 44 Stridsvagn 122 MBT (local designation Leopard 2), adopted in the 1990s, to the Stridsvagn 123A standard. The contract value was approximately €300 million. In January 2025, it was announced that the contractor had also received an order to upgrade the remaining 66 Stridsvagn 122 tanks to the Stridsvagn 123A model.
The first Stridsvagn 123A in Sweden:
Image source: topwar.ru
According to earlier statements by the Ministry of Defense, the modernization includes the replacement of almost all electronic components of the tank, the installation of a new L55A1 cannon with the possibility of using programmable ammunition, an increase in the level of protection without the use of KAZ: fasteners for mounted armor are prepared on the sides; there is a suspension bed for a mechanical drive; an APU is installed in the form of a compact diesel generator, sharply reducing thermal and noise visibility; launchers for smoke grenades of the French GALIX system are placed to counteract laser irradiation; the body is adapted to the Swedish multispectral coating of Saab Barracuda, which "blurs" the silhouette of the car in the radar and thermal spectra.
Image source: topwar.ru
In addition, the car receives new sights for the gunner and commander, and IR cameras for the driver. The installation of new equipment inevitably increased the combat weight of the tank to almost 70 tons. In order for the car not to lose reliability, the suspension (torsion bars, hydraulic shock absorbers) was reinforced and new durable tracks were installed.
German observers note about this:
The modernization of all 110 Stridsvagn 122 machines is expected to be completed in 2031. As the command plans, eventually the Swedish army will have 154 modern MBT under the designation Stridsvagn 123. Of these, 110 units will be upgraded Stridsvagn 123A, and 44 units will be brand new Stridsvagn 123B tanks (Swedish version Leopard 2A8), which will be equipped with Trophy KAZ.
