CV90 IFV assembly begins in the Czech Republic as VOP CZ starts production

Gareth J. Hargreaves • August 27, 2026 22:53

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After the first combat-vehicle hulls arrived from Sweden, the domestic company VOP CZ has moved into production of more than 200 CV90 IFVs intended for the Czech Republic’s Army. The development marks the start of assembly on Czech soil and opens a new chapter in the joint programme with BAE Systems Hägglunds, aimed at providing the country’s Armed Forces with a new generation of armoured vehicles.

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Assembly of CV90 IFVs begins in the Czech Republic

With the first hulls delivered to the industrial site in Šenov, full assembly of CV90 IFVs in the Czech Republic is now under way. The milestone also reflects the completion of the transfer of key technologies from BAE Systems Hägglunds, moving the programme into a production phase that directly involves the Czech defence industry.

Each vehicle consists of more than 3,000 components and takes several months of work to complete. The state-owned firm VOP CZ expects to build more than 200 units and, once the production lines reach their planned capacity, forecasts an output rate of close to ten vehicles per month. After assembly, every platform will go through a testing regime that includes drives of tens of kilometres and comprehensive checks of the electronic, weapons and communications systems before delivery to the Czech Republic’s Army. In the meantime, the first thirteen vehicles continue to be assembled at BAE Systems Hägglunds facilities in Sweden.

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Industrial investment and local industry participation

As part of the programme, VOP CZ has built two new, state-of-the-art production lines in Šenov, designed to match the features of those used by BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden. The company has also invested more than 80 million Czech crowns in modernising its infrastructure, while continuing to expand its technological capabilities and workforce to sustain the manufacturing effort.

At the same time, the company has begun preparations to provide maintenance, repairs and future upgrades for the vehicles across their entire life cycle. Other Czech defence-industry firms are also involved through the supply of components and technologies intended for the production of the new CV90 IFVs.

VOP CZ director Vlastimil Navrátil said: “This is a decisive moment for the Czech defence industry. It is not only about producing modern military equipment, but also about gaining technical know-how that will remain in the Czech Republic for the future. This is essential for our self-sufficiency and for our ability to respond to new security challenges”. Meanwhile, Henrik Gyllencreutz, representing BAE Systems Hägglunds, stated: “The start of assembling CV90 vehicles directly in the Czech Republic represents an important milestone for the entire programme and confirms the successful transfer of technology and knowledge between BAE Systems Hägglunds and the Czech defence industry. As a result, VOP CZ becomes part of the modern European production and support base for the CV90 platform. We are proud that Czech companies and specialists play a key role not only in manufacturing vehicles for the Czech Army, but also in their logistics support, maintenance and future development”.

The programme covers the manufacture of 246 CV9030 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), purchased under the contract signed in May 2023 by the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Sweden and BAE Systems Hägglunds, valued at approximately USD 2,000 million. Of the total, 39 units will be produced in Sweden and 207 in the Czech Republic, with deliveries scheduled through to 2030 and local industrial participation equivalent to 40% of the contract’s value. The vehicles will replace the BVP-2, a licensed version of the Soviet BMP-2, with the first replacements expected to begin from 2026.