Testing has commenced in Sweden for the first CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles built to Slovak Armed Forces specifications, marking a key step toward operational deployment. The start of trials confirms that the programme has progressed beyond contract implementation and into the critical phase of validating Slovakia’s national configuration ahead of deliveries.
The Slovak Armed Forces’ CV90 MkIV programme has reached a pivotal point, with the first Slovak-configured vehicles now undergoing evaluation at BAE Systems Hägglunds’ Örnsköldsvik facility. According to Slovak defence publication FutureArmy.sk, the vehicles have completed production and entered a comprehensive testing campaign aimed at verifying Slovakia-specific command, control and communications systems before fielding.
The acquisition reflects Slovakia’s broader transition away from ageing Soviet-era tracked vehicles toward modern NATO-compatible combat platforms capable of operating in coalition environments. The programme was finalised in December 2022 through a bilateral government-to-government agreement with Sweden, under which the Slovak Ministry of Defence committed €1.3 billion for 152 vehicles from the CV90 MkIV family, primarily in the CV9035 configuration. The order extends beyond core infantry fighting vehicles, encompassing a range of mission variants intended to form a complete mechanised force while standardising training, logistics and long-term support.
Industrial cooperation is a defining feature of the Slovak CV90 deal. Over 30 domestic companies are participating, accounting for more than 40 percent of the contract’s value. This structure supports local supply chains, establishes national maintenance and sustainment capabilities, and reduces dependence on external providers throughout the vehicle’s service life. It also enables Slovak industry to participate in future upgrades, as the MkIV platform is designed around an open architecture that accommodates continuous evolution rather than discrete modernisation events.
While vehicle trials are currently being conducted in Sweden, the programme roadmap envisages the first deliveries to Slovakia in 2026. Production activity gained momentum in the latter half of 2025, when the first Slovak CV90 MkIVs exited the production line, and the ongoing tests represent the next logical step in that process. The timeline broadly aligns with other regional MkIV customers, including the Czech Republic, which unveiled its first vehicle in 2025 and expects deliveries on home soil in 2026. For Bratislava, this synchronisation is particularly relevant given sustained security pressures on NATO’s eastern flank and the need to reinforce national defence readiness.
Slovakia’s chosen CV9035 MkIV variant is armed with a 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon and features an advanced fire-control system supported by a fully digital vehicle architecture. The integration of the Iron Fist active protection system is also planned, underscoring the increasing emphasis on survivability against anti-tank guided weapons and loitering munitions. Compared with earlier CV90 iterations, the MkIV introduces higher levels of ballistic and mine protection and a modular electronic backbone that enables rapid capability enhancements without the need for extensive redesign.
