The initiative aligns with Finland’s Government Defence Report, aiming to enhance infantry firepower and mobility, replace ageing equipment, and significantly increase combat vehicle numbers in response to the current threat environment. In addition to vehicles, the possible procurement would include training equipment, spare parts and munitions.
Joint procurement is intended to deliver volume benefits, improve compatibility and interoperability, and strengthen security of supply. The project is also expected to offer deeper cooperation opportunities related to other CV90 products and could potentially support Ukraine with CV90 fighting vehicles.
“If it moves forward, the purchase of new armoured infantry fighting vehicles will be one of Finland’s largest and most important national defence projects in terms of both capability and money,” said Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. “When looking to the Army’s future capabilities, it is important to work together to seek cost effectiveness in major equipment purchases like this, without compromising on quality and capability.”
Häkkänen further highlighted the significance of international cooperation in advancing Finland’s defence capabilities: “I would like to emphasise the importance of this kind of cooperation to the concrete arrangements for Finland’s defence. We are looking into the possibility of a joint procurement at exactly the right time.”
The statement of intent also opens the door for other nations to join the initiative and for the Finnish defence industry to contribute to its implementation. Once completed, the joint procurement would see Finland using the same CV90 variant as five other countries, with shared key features across three additional European states.
