Modern ground forces face a growing requirement for armored vehicles that can survive sophisticated threats, integrate advanced sensors, and deliver sustained firepower in shifting battlefield conditions. Denmark is now moving to strengthen that capability with the purchase of a new batch of CV90MkIIIC infantry fighting vehicles, a fifth-generation platform designed to offer higher mobility, improved protection, and an architecture built for continuous upgrades.
The challenge for many armies is that legacy armored vehicles struggle to keep pace with modern threats — from anti-armor drones to precision munitions and electronic interference. Older designs often lack the computing power or physical capacity needed for modern weapon stations, active protection systems, and networked combat tools. The incoming models aim to close those gaps by providing a consolidated fleet with the speed, protection, and digital backbone required for high-intensity operations.
According to Interesting Engineering, the 44 new vehicles feature an updated electronic architecture that supports next-generation sensors, battle-management systems, and future weapon enhancements. Alongside improved handling and higher battlefield speeds, the vehicle includes a redesigned turret that adds greater flexibility for targeting, situational awareness, and integration with advanced munitions. Built on decades of operational data from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and multinational exercises, the platform reflects continuous refinements based on real battlefield use.
For defense planners, the CV90 family’s adaptability is one of its strongest assets. The design supports a broad range of weapon configurations, allowing operators to equip the vehicle for anti-armor engagements, urban operations, or infantry support roles. Its protection suite can be upgraded to include active protection systems, which are becoming essential against drone-borne explosives and modern anti-tank systems.
The MkIIIC is part of a broader lineage that includes the newer vehicle, which boosts engine output to 1,000 horsepower and increases payload capacity without compromising mobility. Across Europe, more than 1,900 CV90s are in service in over a dozen variants, giving operators a mature logistical and training ecosystem.
Denmark’s expanded fleet is expected to total 159 vehicles by 2030 — a move that offers not just new hardware, but an armored platform capable of evolving with emerging threats and integrated with allied forces across the region.
