BAE Systems and VOP CZ will work together for a long term industrial cooperation agreement to pursue the Czech Republic’s BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) replacement program, BAE said May 11.
BAE is the design authority and manufacturing lead for the CV90 IFV, which the companies intend to deliver to the Czech Land Forces. Partner Czech company VOP CZ has expertise in design, manufacturing, assembly, and engineering production. VOP CZ also specializes in supplying modern defense equipment and systems to meet the requirements of the Czech customer.
“BAE Systems is committed to building a strong working partnership with VOP CZ and Czech industry. The agreement with VOP CZ will create a strong team to support the Czech Armed Forces for many years ahead,” Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, president of BAE Systems Hägglunds, said in a statement.
“VOP CZ offers the highest level of technology, development and production capacity for this project so we are well positioned to fulfil the needs of the Czech Army. We hope the cooperation grows into a long-term relationship,” Marek Špok, managing director of VOP CZ, added.
BAE highlighted the industrial agreement with VOP CZ aims to support job creation and technology transfer.
The CV90 IFV, with various configurations available, has a top speed of over 42 mph, a range of 560 miles, and payload of 16 tons. Over 1,200 vehicles are on contract with seven international customer nations, BAE said.
BAE said it has previously fulfilled similar industrial investment commitments with other countries operating the CV90 including implementation in Norway, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.