As part of the improvement program for its CV90, The Netherlands Army confirmed that it will advance in the purchase of the 120mm Mjölner mortar system from the company BAE Systems to be installed and integrated into part of its combat vehicles. The decision announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defense on June 11, seeks to strengthen fire support capabilities for infantry units, seeking to replace the current 4×4 Fennek vehicles in its 81mm mortar-carrying version.
In recent years, and within the framework of agreements with BAE Systems, the Netherlands Army has been undergoing a program to extend the useful life and modernize its fleet of CV90 combat vehicles. Through contracts valued at 500 million Euros, these stipulate the updating of a total of 122 IFVs, which will receive the new name CV9035. Among the improvements incorporated are: Active Protection System (APS), an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) and a new electro-optical targeting system (EOPS). In addition, electronic equipment has been improved and strengthened to resist interference and cybersecurity threats.
Within this framework, the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands confirmed the acquisition of new 120mm mortar systems to equip a part of the CV90 of the Dutch Army that were in storage and were not included in the Modernization Program. Taking advantage of the platform, fifteen of these vehicles will be equipped with the mortar system Mjölner provided by the company BAE Systms, adopting a configuration similar to the forty acquired by the Swedish Army in early 2023.
This version of the CV90 Esat mortar carrier equipped with a dual 120mm mortar rocket launch system received the official designation “Mjölner” (in honor of the hammer used by the Norse god Thor); giving the CV90 the ability to “…attack effectively over a wide range of distances through a full 60-degree frontal attack arc without the complexity and cost of powered turret rotation, and with an elevation range effective from 45 to 83 degrees, as indicated by BAE Systems.
Among the reported reasons for this decision, the Dutch defense portfolio mentions the increase in capabilities that it will mean for the tasks of fire support to infantry units and attacks against enemy targets. Currently, as mentioned, the Netherlands Army has the Fennek 4×4 equipped with 81mm weapons as mortar carrier vehicles.
In comparison, future CV90s equipped with the 120mm Mjölner mortar system have a firing range of between 7 and 12 kilometers compared to the 6 kilometers available with the Fennek’s 81mm mortars. In addition, it presents greater aim and rate of fire by incorporating new command and control systems, in addition to the presence of GPS-assisted mortar ammunition. Additionally, for comparison, CV90 operators do not have to leave the vehicle to perform part service.
Finally, this batch of fifteen VC90 equipped with the new mortar systems should be ready by 2028. Another point noted is that the vehicle chassis will also be subjected to a review and recovery program in line with the program. update of the rest of the Dutch combat vehicle fleet.
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