BAE Systems Hägglunds has teamed with Rheinmetall Weapon and Ammunition to integrate the 120 mm L44A1 Low Recoil (LR) gun onto the latest CV90120 fire support variant of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), BAE Systems announced on 8 October 2025.
Rheinmetall’s 120 mm L44A1 LR weapon system is a high-pressure gun solution designed to deliver superior firepower using all NATO-standard 120 mm rounds, including Rheinmetall’s DM11 three-mode programmable high-explosive (HE) round and enhanced kinetic energy (KE) rounds.
BAE Systems’ new CV90120, meanwhile, is based on the latest CV90MkIV IFV variant and will provide enhanced battlefield speeds, upgraded electronic architecture, active damping, a new engine, a heavy-duty transmission and an active protection system. It also provides the added advantage of having a common platform for those armies that already have selected to use the CV90 IFV, or will do so in the future, through commonalities in training and spare parts. BAE Systems Hägglunds has produced more than 1,400 CV90s in 17 variants for 10 European nations so far.
BAE Systems’ current CV90120 light tank/fire support variant, which has not so far been adopted by any armed forces, is armed with the RUAG 120 mm Compact Tank Gun.
Speaking of the integration of Rheinmetall’s 120 mm L44A1 LR weapon onto the CV90MkIV, Tarkan Turkcan, BAE’s CV90 platform director, was quoted in a press release as stating, “Our customers will benefit from the combined expertise and resources of our two companies, resulting in a solution that offers enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility – a winning combination on the modern battlefield.”
Given that the 120 mm L44A1 LR weapon can fire all existing NATO 120 mm rounds, including newer high-pressure types such as the DM63A1 and DM73 kinetic energy projectiles, its incorporation onto the CV90MkIV will provide true tank – and tank-hunting – capabilities on an IFV platform.
