LandWarfareIntl 
Danish CV90s deployed to Afghanistan
The Danish Army has deployed its BAE Systems Hägglunds CV9035 infantry fighting vehicles on operations for the first time shipping 10 of the recently delivered vehicles to Afghanistan.
The CV90 is already operational in Afghanistan with the Norwegian and Swedish contingents. Sweden has seven CV9040 IFVs and a CV90 armoured recovery vehicle in theatre and plan to deploy additional vehicles later this year. Denmark received 45 CV9035s in 2008 and the army has a requirement for another 45 vehicles.
To prepare for the deployment BAE Systems Hägglunds was contracted to install several upgrades including: BAE Systems L-ROD bar armour, Barracuda camouflage, 'software modifications to vehicle computer system for improved battlefield readiness', additional power supply for the electronic counter measures system, and additional IR camera for the driver covering the rear of the vehicle. Much of the work was done on the vehicles after they arrived in Camp Bastion, Helmand province in mid-February.
The CV9035s equip an armoured infantry company of the ninth Danish battlegroup to serve with the International Security Assistance Force. The CV90s will operate alongside tracked M113G3 and wheeled Piranha IIIH armoured personnel carriers, and a platoon of Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks.
Denmark shipped a CV90 to South Africa in January so that engineers could conduct hot weather testing to identify any potential problems that may occur in the heat of the Afghan summer - temperatures reach 50°C or more in May - and develop possible solutions. The evaluation team included representatives from BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Danish acquisition and Logistics Organisation and the Danish Army Battle School.
By Ian Kemp, London
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