The contract for the supply of the commander’s sight for the CV90MkIV is another example of how every successful project moves us to new opportunities.
Working in the defense industry is like an exclusive long-distance race. It is very difficult and often time-consuming to qualify for the start. But when you can do it and prove your quality, many kilometers and challenges await you.
A classic example are two projects that EVPÚ a.s. in a short time they started in cooperation with the important arms concern BAE Systems Hägglunds.
At the beginning of February this year, it was construction work for the production of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle for the Slovak Ministry of Defense. A few weeks later, a contract was added for the supply of a commander’s sight for the project of the latest version of the CV90MkIV tracked armored vehicle, which will be delivered to the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic.
Appreciation of long-term cooperation
“Our cooperation with EVPÚ is key to the success of the CV90MkIV project. Their innovative solutions in the field of optoelectronics significantly contribute to the technological progress and efficiency of our armored vehicles. We are working together to provide the Slovak Armed Forces with a vehicle that meets the highest safety and performance standards,” Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, CEO of BAE Systems Hägglunds, said at the signing of the contract with EVPÚ.
“These words please and we appreciate them. Especially when we know that they are a reward for dozens if not hundreds of hours of work by our colleagues, working in various positions in production and management. Not only to our company here in Slovakia, but also to our sister operation in the Czech Republic,” says Michal Pavlík, CEO of EVPÚ.
On the left Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, CEO of BAE Systems Hägglunds, on the right EVPÚ General Director, Michal Pavlík
Beginnings in the Czech EVPÚ Defence.
The first contacts with the world’s leading arms concern took place in our Czech sister company EVPÚ Defence. It was two years ago that BAE Systems Hägglunds approached them as part of a contract for the Czech army. It was supposed to be a commander’s sight for the CV90 vehicle. A lot of work followed, and it did not only concern employees working in development and production. In the first phase, there was a lot of administration, visits of BAE Systems managers directly in operation in the Czech Republic, as well as trips of EVPÚ Defense employees to Sweden. Gradually came the turn of presentations and also product testing.
Capitalizing on experience in Slovakia
At EVPÚ, we used all this experience and references acquired in the Czech sister company on Slovak projects for BAE Systems. Thanks to this, we successfully completed audits at home and in Sweden.
With the contract signed at the end of February, it will take advantage of several years of development and production of modern optoelectronic systems. In this case, it is a multi-sensor panoramic command sight CMS-1, which will be installed on the towers of the CV90 vehicle for the Slovak Armed Forces.
CMS-1 multi-sensor panoramic command sight
Equipped with a combination of sensors, this system ensures continuous operability in all weather and light conditions. There are three types of sensors on the commander’s sight. Daytime zoom camera with color and B/W mode, nighttime cooled thermal imaging camera for distance measurement, an eye-safe laser rangefinder is used. The commander’s sight significantly increases the efficiency of using the vehicle and the safety of the crew.
Promises for the future
Previous experience working in the defense industry gives great prospects for other projects that the company can implement for BAE Systems or its other partners. Not to mention that the successful handling of an order for such a renowned partner is an excellent reference that opens the door to other potential customers.
“Furthermore, the contracts we are already implementing for BAE Systems support employment in the defense and security industry and have the potential to boost Slovak industry,” added M. Pavlík.
About the CV90 vehicle
The CV90 infantry fighting vehicle is available in 17 variants and is designed to provide optimal mobility with the highest level of protection in any terrain or tactical environment. There are currently almost 1,300 CV90s in operation in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Ukraine. The CV90MkIV combines increased speed and maneuverability on the battlefield with an improved electronic architecture that supports future capabilities as the complex battlefield continues to evolve. In the form of this vehicle, the ground forces of the Slovak Republic will receive the most modern and effective means of defending their territory.
CV90MkIV infantry fighting vehicle
