The tank was formally presented to the Swedish authorities in Munich in June before being transported to Sweden. It will remain under FMV control during verification, with handover to the Swedish Armed Forces scheduled for later this year.
“The first refurbished and modified tank, Stridsvagn 123A, is now in Sweden,” said Niclas Lindberg, head of FMV’s tank section. “Verification, continuous deliveries, training of Swedish Armed Forces personnel and the continued build-up of the other parts of the complete system now lie ahead.”
The programme is based on contracts signed with KNDS Deutschland in autumn 2023 and at the end of 2024. The first covered the modernisation of 44 Stridsvagn 122 tanks, while the second added 66 upgrades and 44 newly built Stridsvagn 123B vehicles based on the Leopard 2A8.
Modernisation of the existing tanks is planned for 2027 to 2030, while deliveries under the wider programme are due to continue through 2031. All 110 Stridsvagn 122 tanks will be refurbished and modified in Germany before being redesignated Stridsvagn 123A.
The upgrade includes the longer-barrelled L55A1 main gun, a modernised fire-control system and new optronic equipment. Updated communications, digital subsystems and stronger armour protection are also included.
FMV described the work as the most extensive upgrade of the Stridsvagn 122 since it entered Swedish service in the late 1990s. The changes are intended to raise combat capability and improve interoperability with other NATO forces.
The first tank will initially be used to train instructors and technical inspection personnel. Those instructors will then prepare Swedish Army crews to operate the upgraded fleet.
The procurement extends beyond the vehicles and includes ammunition, simulators, training and administrative support systems. It also covers technical documentation, infrastructure, maintenance equipment and spare parts needed to support the tanks throughout their service.
