Slovakia’s Combat Vehicle 90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicle program has reached a key milestone, with the first Slovak-configured vehicles now undergoing testing at BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden. The trials mark the transition from contract execution to configuration validation, a critical step before deliveries to the Slovak Armed Forces begin.
The vehicles, produced at Hägglunds’ Örnsköldsvik facility, are being subjected to an intensive test regime aimed at validating Slovakia’s specific command, control, and communications architecture. Slovak defense sources report that the tests will ensure full compatibility with national and NATO systems before the platform enters operational service, reducing integration risks during fielding.
The CV90 MkIV acquisition forms part of Slovakia’s broader effort to replace legacy Soviet-designed armored vehicles with modern NATO-interoperable platforms. Signed in December 2022, the €1.3 billion government-to-government agreement with Sweden covers 152 vehicles in the CV9035 MkIV family and includes multiple variants to support mechanized infantry, command, and support roles. The program is designed to deliver not only new vehicles but also a standardized ecosystem for training, logistics, and sustainment.
From an industrial and capability perspective, the program carries significant weight. Over 40 percent of the contract value is allocated to Slovak industry, strengthening domestic defense manufacturing and long-term maintenance capacity. The CV9035 MkIV variant selected by Slovakia combines a 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon, enhanced ballistic and mine protection, and a digital open-architecture backbone. The planned integration of the Iron Fist active protection system further reflects the growing emphasis on countering modern anti-armor threats on NATO’s eastern flank.
