The Czech Republic produces 20 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles per month.
VOP CZ has resumed preparations for the CV90 Mk IV assembly line for the Czech Republic Army, aiming for a production capacity of 20 infantry fighting vehicles per month with a domestic industrial participation rate of at least 40%.
The Czech company VOP CZ is resuming preparations for the licensed production of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, aiming for a production capacity of up to 20 vehicles per month at peak times. This is considered the largest program in the factory's history and a significant step in the Czech Army's plan to modernize its infantry fighting vehicle fleet.
Overview of the CV90 project in the Czech Republic
According to information published on the NatoAktual website, VOP CZ will manufacture and assemble the CV90 under a contract signed with the Czech Republic Army. The first CV90 infantry fighting vehicle assembled in the Czech Republic is expected to roll off the assembly line next fall, marking the beginning of domestic production.
Currently, the production line is being set up and preparations for related tests are underway. This is a crucial stage to verify the technological capabilities and ensure the progress of mass assembly after the completion of testing and line calibration.
Production capacity and infrastructure expansion
Target production capacity: 20 CV90 vehicles per month.
The CV90 production and assembly project is described as the largest program in the history of the VOP CZ factory. According to the plan, at its peak, the VOP CZ production line will be able to produce 20 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) per month. This represents a significant production scale for a domestic infantry fighting vehicle modernization program.
To achieve the aforementioned production capacity, the company must simultaneously address several aspects: establishing the production line, completing the testing area, organizing production logistics, and ensuring a corresponding technical workforce. These preparatory steps are being implemented in parallel with the production line establishment process.
Optimize transportation and increase manpower.
To execute its production plan, VOP CZ is optimizing transportation routes for the CV90 program, ensuring a smooth flow of materials, components, and finished products. Simultaneously, the company is developing a dedicated testing area for the project, to conduct necessary tests before the vehicles are delivered to the military.
In terms of human resources, VOP CZ plans to recruit approximately 200 new specialists to meet the technological and operational needs of the production line. This workforce will be directly involved in production, testing, and technical support activities related to CV90.
Integrating production, training, and maintenance.
In addition to directly assembling infantry fighting vehicles, VOP CZ also masters the technology for manufacturing components for simulators and training systems related to the CV90. This allows for the integration of crew and tank training into a unified cycle alongside vehicle production and maintenance.
This integrated approach ensures that training is closely aligned with the actual configuration of the vehicle, while creating a maintenance-repair-training system organized within the same defense industry structure. As described, integrating training into the production and maintenance cycle is expected to ensure support for the vehicle throughout its operational lifecycle.
CV90 Mk IV and the process of replacing the BMP-2
The CV90 Mk IV is presented as Sweden's latest generation infantry fighting vehicle, chosen by the Czech Republic to replace the Soviet-made BMP-2s currently in service with its army. The switch to the CV90 represents a transition from an older infantry fighting vehicle platform to a newer generation of vehicles.
According to the contract, a total of 246 infantry fighting vehicles will be produced for the Czech Republic Armed Forces. The contract stipulates a minimum 40% participation rate from the domestic defense industry. This requirement applies to both production and after-sales service, including maintenance and technical support during operation.
The aforementioned collaborative approach is considered to help strengthen the domestic defense sector while ensuring a system of technical support and maintenance for the CV90 fleet throughout its entire service life.
In collaboration with BAE Systems Hägglunds and for production allocation.
BAE Systems Hägglunds – the manufacturer of the CV90 – has unveiled the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle for the Czech Republic Armed Forces at its plant in Örnsköldsvik. This vehicle is part of the first batch of 39 units assembled directly in Sweden.
The remainder of the contract, representing over 200 more infantry fighting vehicles, will be completed and assembled at the facilities of the state-owned enterprise VOP CZ in the Czech Republic. This allocation reflects a gradual transfer model, in which the initial phase is handled by the Swedish side, after which the production share shifts to domestic factories.
Summary table of key program parameters
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Total number of CV90 vehicles under contract | 246 infantry fighting vehicles |
| Expected capacity during peak periods | 20 cars per month |
| Number of cars assembled in Sweden (first batch) | 39 vehicles |
| Number of vehicles completed and assembled at VOP CZ | The remaining more than 200 vehicles |
| Domestic industrial participation rate | At least 40% |
| Recruiting new personnel for the project. | Approximately 200 experts |
With the production parameters, industrial cooperation structure, and integrated training-maintenance plan mentioned above, the CV90 program in the Czech Republic is structured as a comprehensive project, encompassing technology transfer, production organization, and long-term technical support for the new infantry fighting vehicle fleet.
According to NATOAktual
