The Ukrainian military demonstrated training on Swedish CV 90 IFVs

The Ukrainian military demonstrated their combat training on Swedish CV 90 IFVs at one of the training grounds in Sweden.

The press service of the Ministry of Defense of Sweden released the photos.

In February 2023, the Swedish government allocated one of its largest military aid packages to Ukraine, which included CV 90 infantry fighting vehicles for the first time. Later, the Ukrainian military and technicians came to Sweden to master combat vehicles there.

Since March, Ukrainian servicemen have been training in several types of weapons and military equipment and, according to local publications, have already returned to Ukraine in May.

Training of Ukrainian tank crews

Instructors Martin and Olaf were among the many Swedish officers involved in training the Ukrainian military. Now, they are standing on a hill and observing Ukrainian soldiers maneuver Swedish combat vehicles on the training ground below.

Martin gives instructions on how to best deploy the IFVs and what drivers should consider at different times. He participates in education from the very beginning and, like other Swedish military instructors, calls Ukrainians his students.

“Students are talented and incredibly ambitious. First of all, they are good at mechanisms. They need to get used to advanced technology, but they learn quickly. Everyone wants to learn, and everyone wants to do their best,” Martin shared.

Olaf, who is also involved in the training of Ukrainians from the very beginning of this process, noted:

“Some have zero experience with combat vehicles or tanks, but many have experience with Russian combat vehicles like BMP-1. It helps a lot, even though our vehicles are much different and technically more advanced.”

Interpreter Magnus is standing in the big tent with instructor Johannes. About 20 male students, most of them around 50 years old, are sitting on the chairs in front of them. Magnus explains the words of Johannes in Russian and shows various devices of the automatic gun.

Training takes place at a high pace. According to Johannes, there are many things that need to be done by the departure of students.

“The task for us, the instructors, is to teach the students to work in the limited space of the vehicle. To teach this, the student must understand everything, and with so many people to teach, it naturally takes time,” says Johannes.

Sweden allocated 51 CV 9040C IFVs to Ukraine, which were previously used by Swedish troops in Liberia and Afghanistan. Compared to the standard 9040C model, it has a higher level of protection.

Combat vehicles are equipped with, among other things, 40 mm automatic guns, smoke grenade launchers, and machine guns. The automatic gun can fire against infantry, armored vehicles, and air targets at a distance of up to four kilometers.