Swedish billion investment in tanks

Swedish billion investment in tanks

Updated 01.14 | Published 01.06

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full screen The Defense Material Works has, on behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces, agreed to upgrade 44 examples of tank 122. Stock image. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

The Defense Materiel Administration has signed a contract worth approximately SEK 3.5 billion to equip the Swedish tank stock. The investment means that 44 of the Armed Forces’ wagons are renovated and modernized.

The agreement is signed with German KMW, which manufactures the Leopard 2 tank, called stridsvagn 122 in Sweden.

The Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) states in a press release that it is the most extensive upgrade of tank 122 since the tanks were purchased in the early 2000s.

“Tanks will be the backbone of army brigades for a long time to come, that’s a conclusion we can draw from the ongoing war in Ukraine. The order we are now placing with KMW means a considerable modernization of our tank fleet and extends the life of the tanks at least into the 2030s,” says Jonas Lotsne, head of FMV’s military equipment business area, in the press release.

The renovation means, among other things, that all electronic components are replaced, a new cannon with a new calibre, new night sights for the gunner and carriage commander as well as a dark driving camera for the driver and new straps.

Delivery to the Armed Forces will take place starting in 2026. The modernization also means a new name – tank 123A.

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