The 21st Brigade uses the Swedish CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle on the hottest fronts of the war – and crews say the vehicle lives up to its reputation. A video released by the brigade shows soldiers praising the TOMA for its armor, speed and gun, and describing how the vehicle has withstood attacks from FPV drones.
“The strength lies in the armor, the speed and, of course, the gun,” a soldier says in the video, adding that the CV90 can reach about 80 km/h (50 mph) on the road. When asked to rate its reliability, he gives the vehicle a 9 out of 10. He notes that the most common problems focus on the wheels and some pipes.
Troops say the CV90 has repeatedly been targeted by FPV drones and has taken up to five hits without being knocked out. That resilience has a tactical payoff: enemy units reportedly prioritize CV90s as their first targets. “They’re afraid of it,” says one soldier.
“The 40mm gun really rips through… It hits hard.” In the brigade’s footage, soldiers repeatedly refer to the CV90 as the “Nordic Beast” and praise its “calm nature.” This combination of speed, protection, and a powerful automatic cannon makes it a highly valuable combat asset for both maneuvering and direct fire support.
The CV90 TOMA family, developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds and used by several European armies, is often cited in military assessments as one of the most modern and viable TOMAs on the market.
The Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicle is built with operational flexibility and battlefield protection in mind, the Ukrainian army has pushed this flexibility to the extreme by using the vehicle not only as a TOMA but at times as a self-propelled artillery piece…
