IDET 2023: Ukrainians waiting for CV90 IFVs for spring offensive

Sweden is donating 50 CV90s to Ukraine. (Alvis Hägglunds)

Ukraine is waiting for the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) Sweden is donating, to launch its anticipated spring offensive, an attendee of the International Defence and Security Technology Fair (IDET) 2023 held in Brno, Czech Republic, from 24 to 26 May, told Janes on the second day of the exhibition.

UK and Swedish media reported on 18–19 May that 3,000–5,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been trained in Sweden on the CV90, Leopard 2 main battle tank, and Archer self-propelled howitzer. Images of 25 CV9040s being railed through Slovakia 100 km from Ukraine were posted on social media on 25 May. The Swedish version of the IFV is armed with a 40 mm gun.

Sweden is supplying 50 CV90s, up to 10 Leopard 2A5s, and reportedly 8–12 Archers to Ukraine.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, told the BBC on 27 May that the Ukrainian counteroffensive would begin “tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in a week”.

Janes understands that Ukraine is interested in buying CV90s in addition to the 50 donated by Sweden.

When it receives the IFVs, Ukraine will become the 10th member of the CV90 user group, whose members are the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.