Iron Fist APS selected for integration onto European CV90 IFV fleets

Israel’s Elbit Systems has been awarded new contracts totalling USD 150 million (EUR 128.3 million) by BAE Systems Hägglunds to supply its Iron Fist active protection system (APS) for integration onto CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) operated by European NATO countries, Elbit announced on 6 January 2026.

The new contracts, the client nations of which were not detailed, follow a major milestone achieved in September 2025 when Elbit Systems conducted a high-profile live-fire demonstration in Europe, showcasing Iron Fist’s ability to defeat advanced kinetic energy (KE) threats. During the trial the system successfully intercepted more than a dozen 120 mm KE armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot (APFSDS) tank rounds, which Elbit asserted was “a rare accomplishment in the APS field” that validated Iron Fist’s effectiveness against some of the most challenging anti-armour threats faced on modern battlefields.

Iron Fist is an advanced hard-kill APS that gives AFVs 360° protection against various anti-armour threats, including anti-tank rockets, anti-tank guided weapons, armed unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions, and kinetic-energy (APFSDS) tank ammunition, in both open terrain and complex urban environments. “As the Israel Defense Forces’ second-generation APS, Iron Fist combines high performance with a compact design, characterised by low volume, weight, and power requirements,” Elbit stated in a press release.

Iron Fist APS has been selected by leading NATO and worldwide armed forces for integration on a variety of combat platforms.

“Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist continues to strengthen its presence among Western armies, reflecting growing confidence in the system’s capabilities across Europe and beyond,” Yehuda (Udi) Vered, general manager of Elbit Systems Land, was quoted as stating in a company press release. “The results of our recent live-fire trials only reinforce this trust. We value the strong partnership we have developed with BAE Systems Hägglunds, which plays a key role in expanding our footprint across Europe, and we are proud that our innovative, highly advanced solution will enhance the protection of more forces around the world.”