Swedish CV90120 light tank from BAE Systems Hägglunds for over 25 years could not find buyers on world market. So now facing potential Slovakia contract, it will receive serious modernization that may attract more interest.
This involves completely new turret with 120mm smoothbore L44A1 LR gun from German Rheinmetall, enabling programmable ammunition use. Defense Express wrote about this earlier when companies united to implement such project.
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More interesting here is that autoloader developer for upgraded CV90120 will be Slovak Koval Systems. Planned to accommodate 16 rounds with firing rate up to 12-14 shots per minute.
Also this company overall participates in creating new turret for Swedish light tank. Moreover, it localizes CV90 IFV turret production in Slovakia for ordered vehicles. Quite solid cooperation and local industry advancement results.
Interestingly, CV90120 since its 1998 debut was offered without full autoloader. There was specialized mechanism that automated and facilitated process, but loader was still needed.
Quite possibly specifically such feature scared off potential buyers. It at minimum requires placing three crew members in turret, whose armor is weaker than full tank.
However, should not forget that in 2000s, interest in weapons, especially new, was quite low. Moreover, CV90 developers from BAE Systems Hägglunds in early 2010s actively laid off personnel and only with russian-Ukrainian war start did things slowly begin improving.
Whether Swedish light tank will now succeed in finding buyer is good question. Currently Slovakia order is prophesied, which wants specifically lighter vehicle than full Leopard 2A8 or K2. Considering local industry involvement, such thoughts are genuinely logical.
On other hand, competitors are not planning to give up contract so simply, like Turkish FNSS offering CFL-120 Karpat consisting of already ready serial components. Also agreed on localization at Slovak CSG company facilities.
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