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11 Feb 26. WDS 2026: SAMI unveils Heet vehicles. Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) unveiled two futuristic-looking armoured vehicles during the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 held in Riyadh from 8 to 12 February but released few details. The company described both the Heet 4×4 and larger Heet 8×8 as reliable and cost-effective platforms with scalable armour, integrated command-and-control systems, and optional manned and unmanned weapon systems. It did not provide any weight figures or say how many dismounts they can carry. The Heet 8×8 was displayed with what was identified as a turret with a 105 mm direct-fire gun, although the weapon was clearly a mock-up. The Heet 4×4 was fitted with the Roaya turret armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun that was displayed at the previous WDS in February 2024. Both Heets had a similar layout where the driver and commander sit side-by-side behind the engine compartment with wide but narrow windows giving them a good view across the vehicle’s frontal arc. This makes the Heet 8×8 look superficially like the Pars Alpha 8×8 made by the Turkish company FNSS. The Ubayyah armoured 4×4 that SAMI unveiled at WDS 2024 was also displayed at this year’s show but this time fitted with the launcher from the Thales RapidRanger, a short-range air-defence system in service with Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces as the Shikra, albeit on a Spanish VAMTAC tactical vehicle. The 152 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer that SAMI unveiled at WDS 2024 without providing details was not shown this year. (Source: Janes)
10 Feb 26. Sweden will build CV90 prototypes for its fleet renewal. The FMV will require an EW and C-UAS variant as the contractor builds new prototypes, extending the life of the fleet until 2045.
- Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) hope to extend the life of its CV90 fleet until at least 2045
- To that end, the FMV awarded a $37.5m contract to HB Utveckling AB
- One of the contractor’s responsibilities is to manufacture prototypes for updated CV90 variants
Sweden’s FMV is looking to extend the life of its CV90s – or the Swedish designation: Stridsfordon 90 (Strf 90) – some of which have been in service for up to 30 years. Under HB Utveckling AB (a joint venture between BAE Systems Hagglunds and Bofors) work will take place until 2031, ensuring the Combat Vehicle system continues operating until at least 2045.
“Maintaining and developing existing equipment is crucial if the Armed Forces, and not least the army, are to be able to grow as planned,” commented Jonas Lotsne, head of the FMV’s army equipment business area.
In doing so, the FMV will need to update the different variants of the vehicle in service with modern capabilities. Therefore, part of the contractor’s responsibility will be to manufacture updated prototypes of the system for evaluation before serial production.
Swedish Strf 90s at present
In the Swedish Army, the Strf 90 is predominantly fielded by mechanised infantry companies that form part of an armoured battalion. Currently, there are up to 500 Strf 90 units in active service. Each armoured battalion typically consists of two mechanised infantry companies and two tank companies fielding the Stridsvagn 122 main battle tank. In a mechanised infantry company, the standard troop carrier variant is the type with a 40mm L/70 Bofors gun, known as Strf 9040, others include:
- a forward command variant (Stripbv 90);
- forward artillery observation element (Epbv 90);
- anti-aircraft variant (Lvkv 9040);
- 120mm mortar carrier (Grkpbv 90);
- and an armored recovery variant (Bgbv 90)
But having donated some units to Ukraine, the FMV resolved to purchase 50 more modern CV9035 MkIIIC vehicles in a joint procurement effort with Denmark in December 2024. This particular variant replaces the 40mm Bofors with Northrop Grumman’s 35mm Bushmaster III automatic cannon for higher ammunition capacity and modern firing capabilities, such as programmable and airburst ammunition needed against drones and entrenched infantry. Army Technology contacted the FMV to confirm whether the 35mm MkIIIC would be changed in any way as part of the Strf 90 life extension programme but received no response before the time of publishing.
Nevertheless, GlobalData defence analyst Callum Kaye was assured that “this operational layout of a mechanised infantry company will likely remain largely unchanged in the long term”.
A prototype for a new era?
While the FMV does plan to update existing variants, future requirements in a new age of warfare could prompt Sweden to consider yet another variation.
“In terms of the future planned prototypes, older plans may be drawn upon,” Kaye considered. The most likely of these is the electronic warfare (EW) variant (Störpbv 90).
“This took an original CV90 hull and fitted a LEMUR weapon station and a retractable mast with the intention that the vehicle be fielded by a dedicated EW platoon. This variant was originally anticipated to enter service in 2006 but was put on hiatus due to financial constraints at the time,” explained Kaye.
European countries, whose military units and civil infrastructure are vulnerable to Russian drone incursions, have continually struggled to deter the drone threat in the second half of 2025, with their efforts proving an unmitigated failure. The market for mobile, short range air defence (SHORAD) and counter-uncrewed air system (C-UAS) capabilities are on the rise as the global defence industry offer modular open systems in which any contractor can integrate their sensors or effectors. At the AUSA exhibition in Washington last October, Army Technology reported on a growing trend toward lighter, more manoeuvrable vehicles carrying an assortment of such capabilities. In the same way, Kaye continued, “it is a significant possibility that a future [Swedish] prototype similar to the Störpbv 90 would be fitted with radio frequency jamming to provide an anti-drone capability.”
A laser weapon system may also be considered, but tests by the US Army on the Stryker platform highlighted such system’s power levels are difficult to maintain while mobile in addition to being inhibited by environmental conditions. But there is a strong demand signal: Sweden plan to deploy anti-aircraft Lvkv 90s, which feature layered SHORAD, to Latvia as part of its contribution to the Nato multinational brigade. Not only will Sweden need to replace these units in 2026, but the deployment also provides a sense of the impending requirements in the new drone age. (Source: army-technology.com)
05 Feb 26. Czech Army looking to replace Pandur IIs with new APC. The new wheeled APC will be operated by the Czech Army’s restructured 4th Plans are afoot for the Czech Army to ditch its Pandur II armoured personnel carriers for a new 8×8 platform
- The Czech Army has experienced maintenance difficulties with the Pandur II, which was first introduced in 2010
- A feasibility study is exploring options, which will likely include the Boxer 8×8 as well as options like the Patria AMV
The Czech Army will look to replace the in-service Pandur II 8×8 armoured personnel carrier (APC) with a new wheeled platform due to deficiencies encountered since it was introduced into service in 2010. Problems with the Pandur II in Czech service include poor availability, with the vehicle software also still based on Windows 98. These issues have been compounded by the initial decision by the Czech Army not to initiate a fleet maintenance programme for the new Pandur IIs early on in their service. A feasibility study with defence providers was completed around one month ago, with new recommendations to be put to the Czech Government in the coming months. It is thought that a procurement programme could deliver the wheeled armoured vehicles in the 2029-30 timeline. (Source: army-technology.com)
02 Feb 26. On December 30th 2025, the French General Directorate for Armament (DGA) placed an order with KNDS France, on behalf of and for the account of the Belgian Ministry of Defence, for 92 additional Griffon vehicles and 123 Serval vehicles, marking the first Serval order for the benefit of the Belgian defence. Belgium will thus have access to the full range of vehicles of the SCORPION programme, enhancing interoperability. This acquisition directly contributes to meeting its capability commitments to NATO. Luxembourg is also joining the Capacité Motorisée [CaMo] programme through Belgium. Indeed, the Luxembourg Guide-Chasseurs Battalion will be equipped with combat and support vehicles stemming from the Belgian order. This acquisition, carried out within the framework of the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP), includes 38 Jaguar vehicles and 16 Griffon vehicles, and contributes to strengthening European military capabilities in an increasingly unstable security environment. Luxembourg therefore expands the list of countries using SCORPION vehicles. The addition of this new member directly benefits the interoperability enabled by vehicles from the SCORPION programme, designed and produced within temporary groupings of companies (Groupements Momentanés d’Entreprises – GME), composed respectively of KNDS France, Arquus and Thales for the Griffon and Jaguar, and of KNDS France and Texelis for the Serval. Strengthened industrial cooperation: The Capacité Motorisée programme continues to generate a high level of societal return for Belgian industry. Indeed, the majority of the vehicles will be assembled in Belgium, at the industrial site of MOL CY, and will be equipped with remote weapon stations produced and supplied by FN HERSTAL. Furthermore, the newly acquired Serval vehicles will benefit from a redesigned industrial scheme, in which assembly transferred to Belgium will be more extensive than that already carried out for the Griffon and Griffon MEPAC. Finally, the delivery of these vehicles will be accompanied by the implementation of a spare parts supply flow for maintenance, ensuring a high level of operational availability for the transformation of newly equipped units. (Source: joint-forces.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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