Mortar-equipped CV90 sparks international interest
Sweden’s FMV recently showed off the new CV90 Mortar vehicle (designated the Grkpbv 90) to an audience of representatives from Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland and the US.
The demonstration of the new mortar vehicle’s capabilities was carried out on an FMV test site in Karlsborg. With a grenade launcher mounted on the CV90 chassis, the Grkpbv 90 is a response by BAE SystemsHägglunds to a 575 million kr ($68 million) contract from FMV to install a vehicle-mounted mortar on the Swedish Army’s CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) in December 2016.
The mortar system chosen for the contract was the Mjölner, which has been installed on 40 CV90s to date. The Mjölner consists of two smoothbore 120mm gun barrels capable of 60 degrees of slew in azimuth and elevation from 45 to 85 degrees. It can fire up to 16 rounds per minute, and is compatible with all standard 120mm mortar ammunition.
‘It is gratifying to have such a great international interest in this Swedish-developed system,’ says Mikael Frisell, Head of Army Equipment at FMV. ‘It shows that this is a capability that is needed on the modern battlefield. Now, we hope that what this successful project has delivered will have more users.’
First entering service in the early 90s, the CV90 was developed specifically for sub-arctic climate conditions, offering mobility in snow and wetlands with a capacity for six to eight infantry. About 1,200 vehicles are currently in service with the Nordic countries.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands]()
FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands
FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
![DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return]()
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
