LVKV 90
Swedish self-propelled anti-aircraft cannon deployed to Latvia as a counter-drone stopgap in 2026.
Last refreshed: 29 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for LVKV 90
Mentioned in: Lithuania buys 48 Merops drone killers
Drones: Industry & DefenceSweden awards Saab SEK 2.6B C-UAS deal
Drones: Industry & Defence- What is the LVKV 90 and can it shoot down drones?
- The LVKV 90 is a Swedish self-propelled 40mm anti-aircraft cannon on a CV90 chassis. It is effective against Group 1-3 drones at short range and serves as the kinetic defeat layer in Sweden's GUTE II Counter-UAS system, cueing from the Giraffe 1X radar.Source: Lowdown drones-industry-defence Update 10
- How does the LVKV 90 fit into Sweden's counter-drone system?
- In the GUTE II package, the LVKV 90 provides the short-range kinetic intercept layer against drone threats. The Giraffe 1X radar provides targeting cueing, while electronic warfare effectors handle jamming — LVKV 90 is the final kinetic backstop.Source: Lowdown drones-industry-defence Update 10
Background
The LVKV 90 (Luftvärnskanonvagn 90) is a Swedish self-propelled anti-aircraft cannon system based on the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle chassis, armed with a 40mm Bofors autocannon. It provides a short-range kinetic defeat layer against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and, increasingly, unmanned aerial systems including drone swarms. The LVKV 90 has been in Swedish Army service since the 1990s and is operated by the Swedish Army's air-defence units.
In the context of the GUTE II programme, the LVKV 90 and the Trackfire remote weapon station serve as the kinetic defeat layer of Saab's Counter-UAS package, working alongside the Giraffe 1X radar for targeting cueing. The 40mm Bofors round is effective against Group 1-3 drone threats at short range, providing a low-cost-per-shot kinetic option between electronic warfare jamming and expensive missile interceptors.
The LVKV 90 represents the broader Nordic philosophy of layered air defence using existing tracked platforms with proven autocannon lethality, adapted for the drone threat environment through sensor integration rather than new vehicle procurement.