Sweden is making a significant investment in its defense's mechanized units by ordering 44 new Leopard 2 A8 tanks and upgrading 110 existing Stridsvagn 122 and Combat Vehicle 90 fleets. The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the four brigades being developed and the Gotland Battle Group, according to the Ministry of Defense and FMV.

– We are acquiring 154 modern tanks and refurbished combat vehicles with these orders, which strengthens our defense capability. It's about equipping the mechanized brigades and the Gotland Battle Group with new and refurbished equipment for the future, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson in a press release from the Ministry of Defense.

The new Leopard 2 A8 tanks, which will be designated as Stridsvagn 123B in the Armed Forces, will be manufactured by KNDS. At the same time, 66 existing Stridsvagn 122 (see image) will be upgraded in addition to the 44 that are already under modification. These upgraded tanks will be designated as Stridsvagn 123A.

Lieutenant Alva Cederholm from the Gotland Regiment P 18 welcomes the decision:

– The new tanks and the upgraded older tanks will be a significant boost, she says in an article on the Armed Forces' website.

The upgrades include new cannons, improved protection, and increased digitalization. Deliveries of the upgraded tanks are planned between 2027 and 2030, while the newly manufactured ones will be delivered between 2028 and 2031. The cost of the tank contracts is estimated to be approximately 17.2 billion SEK. Once all deliveries are complete, the Armed Forces will have a total of 154 tanks, of which 110 are Stridsvagn 123A and 44 are Stridsvagn 123B.

– Stridsvagn 123A and 123B are among the most modern tanks in the world. They provide Sweden with increased capacity and better opportunities to harmonize with other NATO countries, says Göran Mårtensson, Director General of FMV, in a press release from the agency.

In addition to the tanks, the government has authorized the Armed Forces to refurbish existing Combat Vehicle 90s. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by 2030 and is estimated to cost approximately 5 billion SEK.