The Army is reinforced with 44 New Tanks

The order also includes the refurbishment and upgrade of 66 Tank 122 to the same standard as the new tanks. Upgrades of 44 Tank 122 are already underway. This means that all Swedish tanks will eventually be designated as Strv 123 in the Swedish Armed Forces – with the newly ordered tanks labelled Tank 123B, and the upgraded tanks labelled Tank 123A.

This order replaces the number of tanks donated to Ukraine, but it also provides the Army with tangible growth in its tank fleet by 33 units.

Deliveries of the Tank 123A are planned for 2027 to 2030, while the 44 newly manufactured tanks will be delivered between 2028 and 2031.

"A major upgrade"

Lieutenant Alva Cederholm, commander of a tank platoon with professional soldiers at the Gotland Regiment P 18, appreciates the existing tanks but looks forward to the generational shift.

"Tank 122 is very good, but it was constructed in the 1990s, so they’re starting to show their age. The new tanks and the upgraded older ones will be a significant improvement," she says.

With Tank 123, Sweden will have the same tank system as Germany and Norway, providing excellent conditions for acquiring ammunition and spare parts.