Minister of Defence Jaromír Zůna (for SPD) said on 27 October 2026, after a meeting of the Chamber of Deputies defence committee, that the army will receive the first ten CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles later than planned. It was to take them over this year for troop trials; according to the minister they will be delivered during 2027. He did not specify the reason for the delay or a more precise date.[1][2][3]
The CV90 contract
In 2023 the Czech Republic concluded a contract with the Swedish company BAE Systems Hägglunds for 246 CV90 vehicles worth 59.7 billion Czech koruna including VAT. The new vehicles are to replace the obsolete BVP-2 of Soviet design.[1][3]
According to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, manufacturer's trials were under way in the project at the time. Their course, including a possible delay, was to be assessed at a meeting of the joint steering committee in Sweden in the week after 27 October 2026.[1][2] In the week before 27 October the manufacturer said that the first five vehicles had been built. The company's communications director Ola Thorén said that the company faces "certain challenges" and is evaluating the next steps with the Czech side.[1][2]
Spyder All-in-One systems
At the committee Zůna also spoke about the purchase of four Spyder All-in-One air defence systems. According to the ministry, the contract could be signed around the turn of 2026 and 2027. According to the minister, the project was prepared in 11 months, and the acquisition of this variant could not be handled by an amendment to the contract for the earlier Spyder systems.[1][2]
Spyder All-in-One is a newer variant of the system by the Israeli company Rafael, combining radar, launcher and command on a single chassis. In 2021 the Czech Republic ordered four batteries of the original Spyder system for 13.7 billion koruna; they are to replace the Soviet 2K12 KUB systems used by the army since the 1970s.[1][2]
Chronology
- — After a meeting of the Chamber of Deputies defence committee, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD) said that the first ten CV90 vehicles, which the army had originally been due to receive this year for troop trials, will be delivered during next year; according to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, the contract for four Spyder All-in-One systems could be signed around the turn of this year and next. ČTK / České noviny Novinky.cz