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BAE Systems has signed an extensive mid-life upgrade contract worth more than US$500M with the Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for the Royal Netherlands Army’s fleet of 122 CV90s, with an option for an additional 19 vehicles. The upgrade programme, which includes a new turret, will vastly improve the vehicle’s capabilities while providing crews with improved protection and ergonomics for increased combat efficiency.

The new CV90 turret, developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, represents a leap forward in design and functionality. The main weapon position is changed to provide even better vehicle balance and enable new ways to introduce a variety of weaponry for increased lethality. It also offers significant ergonomic improvements to benefit the vehicle’s crew.
The enhanced turret design is built on years of combat-proven experience, continuous vehicle improvements, and data analysis from the seven nations currently operating CV90 fleets. The improvements are also based on a recent study conducted by the Royal Netherlands Army and a BAE Systems’ analysis of cognitive load on Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) crews to address man-machine interaction. The result gives crews increased advantages, such as the ability to choose intuitive and effective modes of operation as well as shorten the time to detection, identification, decision-making, and engagement.

Wider CV90 Upgrade

Work is already underway to equip the Dutch CV9035 vehicles with several enhanced capabilities such as an Active Protection System and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles as well as a new Electro-Optic Aiming System which gives additional situation awareness. The latest upgrade also includes future-proofing the electronics by upgrading to the fourth generation digital backbone, with embedded and more robust cybersecurity.
More than 20 Dutch companies are involved in the supply chain for the mid-life upgrade programme to include mechanical and electrical components to BAE Systems Hägglunds and the main subsystem suppliers, which will support the Dutch defence industrial base for many years to come.
There are about 1,300 CV90s of numerous variants in service with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The vehicle has a combat-proven track record and is designed to accommodate future growth to meet evolving missions.
Jack Richardson