Las compañías BAE Systems y Rheinmetall han firmado un acuerdo para integrar el cañón de 120mm de bajo retroceso L44A1 de Rheinmetall, en el prototipo del blindado CV90120 en desarrollo por BAE Systems. Este programa se basa en mejoras sobre la plataforma blindada CV90 de probada eficiencia y de las cuales existen en servicio 1400 unidades en 10 países. Las compañías fabricantes afirman que los países usuarios y futuros clientes, se beneficiarán con una plataforma blindada más liviana pero con el poder de fuego de los grandes tanques de batalla, al poder utilizar las variantes de munición 120mm normalizada NATO, además de simplificar aspectos relacionados con la logística de sostenimiento, el adiestramiento de las dotaciones y del personal de mantenimiento.
BAE Systems Hägglunds has signed an agreement with Rheinmetall Weapon and Ammunition to integrate Rheinmetall’s 120 mm L44A1 Low Recoil gun onto a new CV90120 prototype built on the CV90 MkIV chassis, the companies announced on 8 October 2025.
The deal pairs Rheinmetall’s high pressure 120 mm L44A1 LR gun with a CV90-based vehicle that BAE says will receive a new engine, heavy duty transmission, active damping, an upgraded electronic architecture and an active protection system, according to the company.
Rheinmetall describes the gun as compatible with all NATO standard 120 mm rounds and capable of firing programmable three mode high explosive rounds such as the DM11 as well as enhanced kinetic energy rounds, the press release said.
BAE frames the CV90120 as delivering main battle tank level direct firepower while retaining the tactical and strategic mobility of the CV90 family, a combination the companies say will reduce cost for customers that already operate or plan to operate CV90s, the company stated. BAE also highlighted commonality benefits for training and spare parts across forces that use CV90 family vehicles.
“Our customers will benefit from the combined expertise and resources of our two companies, resulting in a solution that offers enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility – a winning combination on the modern battlefield,” Tarkan Turkcan, CV90 platform director, is quoted as saying in the press release. The release adds that BAE Systems Hägglunds has produced over 1,400 CV90s in 17 variants for 10 European nations, a pedigree the company says underpins the upgrade programme.
The companies position the CV90120 as an option for armies seeking heavier direct fire capability without adopting a traditional heavier main battle tank chassis, and they say the integration will help militaries seeking a balance of firepower and mobility while preserving logistics commonality with existing CV90 fleets.
Fuente: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk
