Denmark has significantly strengthened its military capabilities by ordering 115 CV9035 MkIIIC infantry fighting vehicles from BAE Systems Hägglunds. This acquisition, valued at €1.3 billion, is part of a strategy to modernize and prepare the armed forces for increasingly sophisticated threats. Let’s break down this strategic deal.
In summary :
- Denmark orders 115 CV9035 MkIIIC vehicles from BAE Systems for €1.3 billion to strengthen its heavy brigade.
- The contract focuses on modernizing armored vehicles and aligns with Denmark’s broader military enhancement strategy.
- The vehicles are equipped with 35mm Bushmaster III cannons, optimized for modern combat environments.
- Direct negotiation with BAE Systems was chosen due to specific technical requirements of the Danish armed forces.
- The CV9035 MkIIICs feature modular architecture and advanced targeting systems, ensuring adaptability to future upgrades.
A Major Contract Signed with BAE Systems
The Danish Ministry of Defense has formalized the purchase of these 115 CV9035 MkIIICs, marking a crucial step in bolstering the country’s heavy brigade. The order, concluded for €1.337 billion (nearly DKK 10 billion), includes the delivery of vehicles equipped with the 35mm Bushmaster III cannon, an optimized configuration for modern combat environments. This specific model was chosen for its proven capabilities in terms of mobility, protection, and firepower. Unlike other variants equipped with different armaments, the MkIIIC version is particularly suited for complex missions, combining high durability with technological scalability.
Essential Modernization to Stay Competitive
This contract is part of a broader project to upgrade existing armored vehicles. Denmark already operates CV9035s, which have been in service since 2007, notably in Afghanistan. A modernization program, launched in March 2024, plans to upgrade 44 vehicles currently in service to integrate newer technologies and meet today’s operational requirements. Denmark’s decision to negotiate directly with BAE Systems, without a competitive tender, stems from the specific technical requirements of the country’s armed forces, which only this supplier could meet.
Vehicles Ready for Future Challenges
The ordered CV9035 MkIIICs will come with cutting-edge features such as enhanced targeting systems, optimized crew ergonomics, and modular components that facilitate future upgrades. These vehicles will also be equipped with rubber tracks, reducing noise and enhancing agility on difficult terrains—an essential feature for operations in Nordic areas with extreme conditions. These CV90s are designed to evolve over time thanks to their modular electronic architecture, allowing for future technological improvements.
The MkIIIC version also integrates an E35 turret, similar to that used on the AMV35, providing increased precision with advanced targeting systems. The vehicles weigh around 32 tonnes, with the capacity to increase to 35 tonnes, making them perfectly suited for modern combat environments. The CV90, used across several European countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Finland, has proven effective in extreme conditions thanks to its robust design and high versatility.
With this acquisition, Denmark strengthens its position within European armies and prepares its forces to face increasingly complex situations while contributing to regional collective defense efforts.
This massive investment demonstrates Denmark’s commitment to staying at the forefront of military developments and ensuring its equipment can meet current threats. This approach could inspire other nations seeking to modernize their armed forces and enhance their response capabilities to future challenges.