TSAMTO, December 13. BAE Systems Hagglunds has announced the signing of a contract with the Slovak Ministry of Defense for the supply of 152 BBM CV-9035 Mk.4 under an intergovernmental agreement between Sweden and Slovakia.
The cost of the order is 1.37 billion dollars (1.3 billion euro). The CV-90 BBM will be produced and delivered in several configurations in cooperation with the Slovak industry, including ZTS-Special as the main partner. Other Slovak public and private companies will act as subcontractors in the production of BBM and providing their support in the long term.
The Slovak Armed Forces will receive the latest version of the CV-9035, known as the CV-9035 Mk.4, with the latest capabilities and digital technology. The machine combines high speed, controllability on the battlefield with an upgraded electronic architecture to support modernization in the future in order to meet the needs of the customer.
The CV-90 of the Slovak Armed Forces will be equipped with a new "D" series turret with a 35 mm automatic cannon. The tower will provide the CV-9035 crew with improved protection and high combat effectiveness thanks to the latest generation of sensors, software with elements of artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The BMP will receive an active protection system "Iron Fest" by Elbit Systems and a PU with ATGM "Spike-LR" by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Out of 152 armored vehicles, 122 will be delivered in the BMP variant. Twelve IFVs will be made in a new configuration for compartments with large-caliber sniper rifles and grenade launchers. The remaining vehicles will be delivered in the variants of a control vehicle, a reconnaissance vehicle, an engineering vehicle, a BREM, and a repair vehicle. The contract also provides for the supply of a training system and simulators.
Slovakia will become the eighth member of the CV-90 Operators club. Currently, this organization includes seven countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
As reported by TSAMTO, in March 2021, the Ministry of Defense of Slovakia announced the beginning of the procedure for selecting replacements for obsolete BVP-1, BVP-2 and BVP-M BMP, BPsV "Svatava" BRM, etc. Previously, the Government of Slovakia allocated 1.7 billion rubles for the purchase of 152 new BBMs. euro.
The new tracked armored combat vehicles should be part of a promising heavy mechanized brigade, which should be formed within the framework of Slovakia's obligations to NATO allies.
The Slovak Ministry of Defense has sent invitations to apply for the supply of a new tracked BBM to 33 countries. Applications were submitted in January 2022. Four bidders took part in the tender: BAE Systems Hagglunds with CV-90 armored vehicle (CV-9030 Mk.4 and CV-9035 Mk.4 versions), General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Barbara Sistemas with ASCOD BBM, Rheinmetall with KF41 "Links" BBM and Polish Armaments Group with Borsuk BMP prototype". After a preliminary assessment, the first three BBMs were included in the short list and passed further tests on the basis of the Military Technical Testing Institute of Zagorye (Vojensky technicky skusobny ustav Zahorie - VTSU Zahorie). A specially created commission evaluated the submitted proposals and recognized the best BBM CV-9035 Mk.4 from BAE Systems Hagglunds.
In June 2022, the Slovak government approved a proposal for the purchase of 152 BBM CV-9035 Mk under an intergovernmental agreement with Sweden.4 with a 35 mm cannon. After that, the parties began to agree on the terms of sale.
It is assumed that the BBM procurement project will be carried out in cooperation with the Czech Armed Forces. At the end of August 2022, Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nagy and the head of the Czech Military Department Yana Chernokhova signed a Declaration on Cooperation in the procurement and operation of Tracked infantry fighting vehicles.
