Norwegian infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled mortars for Ukraine
Norwegian infantry fighting vehicles CV9030N on exercises
Norway intends to continue the military-technical regime to the Kyiv regime and even expands the range of such supplies. At the end of January, they announced their desire to transfer to Ukraine the main Tanks Leopard 2, and now the possibility of sending armored vehicles of the CV90 family is being discussed. From the presence of their own army, a certain number of infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled mortars on a unified platform can be distinguished.
Deliveries and plans
Norway began sending military products to Ukraine in the spring of 2022. During the year, it shipped a large number of infantry weapons, as well as M109 self-propelled howitzers and M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems. In addition, the Norwegian government allocated money to participate in the purchase of foreign weapons for subsequent transfer to the Kyiv regime.
In recent weeks, NATO countries have been actively discussing the issue of supplying new armored vehicles to Ukraine, incl. tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense expressed its readiness to participate in such assistance. So, at the end of January, they announced the possibility of transferring eight Leopard 2A4NO MBTs from the presence of their own army.
On February 1, the Norwegian television channel TV2 announced the new plans of the Norwegian leadership. With reference to the military department, it is alleged that the supply of military equipment will continue. In particular, the possibility of transferring a number of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and CV90RWS Multi BK self-propelled mortars on the same chassis is currently being studied. If a positive decision is made, the equipment will be taken from their own combat units.
As far as is known, the Norwegian command is still studying the existing fleet of armored vehicles and has not yet come to a final decision. At the same time, it is already clear that its capabilities in the context of the transfer of armored vehicles are very limited. Thus, the tank fleet of the Norwegian army includes only 36 Leopard 2A4NO vehicles, not counting a certain amount of unusable equipment.
The CV90 family includes 91 infantry fighting vehicles, 21 reconnaissance vehicles and at least 16 self-propelled mortars. There are also several dozens of auxiliary vehicles - command and staff, engineering, multi-purpose, etc.
It is easy to see that the write-off and sending to Ukraine of any number of armored vehicles will have a significant negative impact on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the Norwegian army. However, the Norwegian government has already donated cannon and rocket artillery to help the “ally”. It could probably arrange similar cuts in other areas as well.
Technique in service
Armored vehicles of the CV90 family are of Swedish origin. The promising BMP, which later became a unified platform and the basis for a whole family of equipment, was created by Hägglunds and Bofors for the Swedish ground forces. The development and testing of new equipment was completed in the early nineties, and deliveries of serial equipment in various modifications soon began. In the Swedish army, the BMP received the designation Strf 90.
Inside the troop compartment
At the same time, new equipment under the designation CV90 was brought to the international market. Foreign customers were offered machines of different classes and with different equipment, made on a common tracked platform. To date, CV90 different versions have entered service with six countries. Several other armies tested such equipment, but did not place orders. Signing of new contracts is expected in the near future.
Norway was one of the first customers for the CV90. She began to receive such equipment already in 1994, with a minimum lag behind Sweden. The first contracts provided for the supply of more than 160 machines of several modifications, modified to meet the wishes of the customer. Most of this fleet was made up of infantry fighting vehicles in the CV9030N version. Products of other modifications were also supplied.
As the operation continued, the Norwegian CV90s underwent minor and medium repairs, as well as minimally updated and re-equipped. In 2012, Norway and Sweden agreed to conduct a major modernization program for 144 remaining armored vehicles of all models. In 2016-17 Norway has tested and ordered 16 CV90RWS Multi BK self-propelled mortars.
Features and capabilities
Norway has CV9030N infantry fighting vehicles - an export version of the basic Swedish product Strf 90 with some differences and features. This is a tracked armored vehicle with a crew of 3 people, designed to carry 7-8 soldiers, as well as to protect them with armor and support with fire.
Self-propelled mortar CV90RWS Multi BK
CV9030N, like other samples of the family, has a welded front-engine armored hull. The frontal projection is protected from 30 mm projectiles; for other areas, protection against 14,5 mm bullets is declared. During the modernization, the Norwegian infantry fighting vehicles got the opportunity to install overhead booking modules that improve protection against projectiles, shrapnel and cumulative ammunition.
The index CV9030 indicates the use of a fighting compartment with a 30 mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon. There is a digital fire control system with optoelectronic sights for the gunner and commander. During the operation of the SLA, it was updated several times with an increase in the main characteristics. The ability of the 30-mm cannon to hit lightly armored targets at distances of at least hundreds of meters is declared. Auxiliary weapon - 7,62 mm coaxial machine gun.
Like other early variants of the CV90, the Norwegian IFVs are equipped with a 14 hp Scania DS550 engine. The undercarriage has a torsion bar suspension. The maximum speed on the highway is declared at the level of 70 km / h. Power reserve - at least 320-350 km.
Self-propelled mortar CV90RWS Multi BK is made on the BMP chassis. It is distinguished by the absence of a turret and the use of almost all internal volumes as a fighting compartment. Inside the hull is a VingPos mortar complex with an L16A2 muzzle-loading mortar of 81 mm caliber. The mortar barrel is mounted on a remote-controlled module with the possibility of circular pickup and elevation change. Ammunition - 50 shots.
Learning Norwegian Calculations
The combat module VingPos is controlled by the same name SLA. The topographic location of the combat vehicle is provided, the calculation of data for firing and automatic aiming, incl. with recovery after a shot. The high automation of the firing process made it possible to reduce the calculation of the mortar to two people - the commander-operator and the loader.
The 81-mm L16A2 mortar is loaded manually and allows you to get a rate of fire of up to 10-12 rds / min. When firing standard high-explosive fragmentation mines weighing up to 4-4,2 kg, a range of up to 4,8 km is achieved. The smoke mine is sent for 5,7 km. At the same time, an automated control system allows you to improve the accuracy of shooting.
Countermeasures
It is very likely that Norway will again decide to reduce the fleet of armored vehicles of its own army in order to help Ukraine. At the same time, it can be expected that such a technique will not bring any noticeable benefit to the Kyiv regime. The results of its application will be negatively affected by the limited number, insufficient level of crew training, etc.
A certain influence on the effectiveness of the use and survivability will be exerted by the methods of combat use of equipment. Thus, the CV9030N infantry fighting vehicles are designed to work at the forefront, where there are serious risks and threats. Any Ukrainian BMP, incl. Swedish production under the current conditions is endangered, and its survival on the battlefield becomes unlikely.
Charger at work
The CV9030N is only protected against small caliber artillery systems. The armor of this infantry fighting vehicle will not withstand larger caliber shells or cumulative ammunition. As a result, the duration of the participation of such a vehicle in combat mainly depends on the composition of the armaments and equipment of the enemy.
The self-propelled mortar CV90RWS Multi BK should not go to the front line and is intended to work from closed positions in the near rear. At the same time, a self-propelled platform allows you to quickly arrive at a position, fire and leave before a retaliatory strike. However, such a machine also has disadvantages and faces certain difficulties and risks.
So, due to the relatively small caliber, the firing range does not exceed 4,8 km. This imposes serious restrictions on the choice of firing position. In addition, for firing, the mortar will have to enter the affected area of various artillery and missile systems, up to modern anti-tank systems. Regular armor can save the CV90RWS Multi BK and its crew from bullets, shrapnel or some shells, but a direct hit by a large-caliber ammunition or rocket will lead to an understandable result.
with predictable results
In general, the situation around the Norwegian armored vehicles for the Kyiv regime is following a familiar scenario. A foreign state is going to help Ukraine and transfer weapons or equipment from its own army to it. At the same time, the volume of supplies will be very limited. They will not affect the position of the Kyiv regime, but the supplier country's own army will suffer significant damage.
How the Norwegian leadership is going to get out of this situation will become known in the very near future. The most reasonable thing for him would be to refuse the supply of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled guns, etc. - in the interests of their own security. However, foreign partners are asking for help too convincingly, and, apparently, the Norwegian army will soon run out of armored vehicles.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Wikimedia Commons
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