CV90120-T

The CV90120-T was developed by Hagglunds/BAE Systems as a light tank or direct-fire support member of the CV90 family. Rather than designing a new vehicle from scratch, the project adapted the proven CV90 tracked chassis and paired it with a 120 mm smoothbore gun. It reflected a late-1990s and early-2000s interest in vehicles that could deliver main-battle-tank firepower with lower weight and easier strategic mobility.

The design uses a modified CV90 hull and a three-person turret mounting a low-recoil 120 mm smoothbore weapon, advanced fire control, and stabilized day/night sights. Its attraction is commonality with CV90 fleets and the ability to provide direct fire at a weight far below a heavy main battle tank. The tradeoff is clear: the vehicle offers mobility and firepower, but cannot match the passive armor depth of a full MBT.

The CV90120-T is best understood as a prototype and export concept rather than a widely fielded tank. It demonstrated how the CV90 platform could support heavier weapons and helped frame later debates about medium tanks, mobile protected firepower, and fleet commonality. Even without large-scale adoption, the design remains relevant because similar requirements continue to reappear among armies seeking lighter direct-fire vehicles.