industry
FMV orders new motorcycles for the Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has ordered 1,000 new Yamaha XT 250 Serow motorcycles for the Swedish Armed Forces, replacing the 40-year-old Husqvarna 258 following a procurement process lasting two and a half years. Deliveries to the Swedish Armed Forces and the Home Guard will commence during the summer and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has ordered 1,000 new dispatch motorcycles for the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten). The model is the Yamaha XT 250 Serow, which will be designated MC 251 within the Swedish Armed Forces. It replaces the Husqvarna 258 (MC 258), which has been in service for approximately 40 years, according to a press release from FMV.
According to FMV, work on finding a replacement has been ongoing for just over two and a half years. Following a market analysis, several models were tested under both winter and summer conditions. A requirements specification was subsequently developed together with the Swedish Armed Forces ahead of a competitive procurement process.
FMV states that the contract was awarded to Yamaha following an evaluation of submitted tenders, as the supplier met all requirements at the lowest price. The motorcycle is a four-stroke model with an air-cooled engine.
– It meets all requirements, is easy to ride and reliable, and spare parts are readily available, says project manager Jörgen Ericsson at FMV.
Winter equipment is included with the motorcycles, comprising skis, a winter brake, studded tyres, and shielded lighting.
The first 30 units were delivered in early April to the Swedish Armed Forces' motorcycle school in Skövde (western Sweden). In connection with this, an instructor training course was conducted for instructors from the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Home Guard (Hemvärnet). The training covers maintenance, fault-finding, repair, and off-road riding.
– This is going to be an excellent motorcycle for the purpose it was developed for, says Fredrik Holmgren at Göta Trängregemente (the Göta Transport Regiment), which is responsible for training at the motorcycle school.
The MC 251 will be delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Home Guard as a whole, with deliveries commencing in summer. Deliveries will then continue through to the first quarter of 2027, according to the press release.
NDS has previously reported on the seven-year framework agreement signed between FMV and Yamaha. The framework agreement was reported to cover the delivery of up to 2,500 winter-equipped motorcycles, with 1,000 motorcycles to be delivered during spring 2026.
FAQ
- Vad är Yamaha XT 250 Serow och varför valde FMV denna modell till Försvarsmakten?
- Yamaha XT 250 Serow är en fyrtaktsmodell med luftkyld motor som i Försvarsmakten får beteckningen MC 251. Kontraktet tilldelades Yamaha efter konkurrensupphandling eftersom leverantören uppfyllde samtliga krav till lägst pris. Modellen ersätter Husqvarna 258 (MC 258), som använts i omkring 40 år. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-28.
- När levereras de nya MC 251-motorcyklarna till Försvarsmakten och Hemvärnet?
- De första 30 exemplaren levererades i början av april 2026 till Försvarsmaktens motorskola i Skövde. Bredare leveranser till hela Försvarsmakten och Hemvärnet startar till sommaren 2026 och pågår fram till första kvartalet 2027. FMV och Yamaha har ett sjuårigt ramavtal för upp till 2 500 motorcyklar. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-28.
- Vilka krav ställdes på den nya ordonnansmotorcykeln MC 251 och vad ingår i utrustningen?
- MC 251 ska vara lättkörd, driftsäker och ha god reservdelstillgång, enligt projektledare Jörgen Ericsson vid FMV. Till varje motorcykel ingår vinterutrustning i form av skidor, vinterbroms, dubbade däck samt avskärmad belysning. Kravspecifikationen togs fram tillsammans med Försvarsmakten efter tester i både vinter- och sommarförhållanden. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-28.