Ukraine boosts defense with Swedish Pbv 302 armoured carriers
The Ukrainian ground forces have acquired another model of armoured vehicle, as evidenced by a video released by the Ukrainian ground forces. It shows that the Swedish armoured personnel carrier Pbv 302 (Pansarbandvagn 302) has officially entered service, and Ukrainian soldiers have already undergone training on these vehicles. Initial opinions about the Pbv 302 have even emerged.
In May 2024, Sweden announced it would donate all available Pbv 302 armoured personnel carriers (Pansarbandvagn 302) to Ukraine. The vehicles were to be supplied to newly formed brigades, and the Swedes promised to provide the necessary spare parts, maintenance equipment, and ammunition.
Swedish Pbv 302 in Ukraine
In August 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence officially announced that it had authorized the entry of Swedish Pbv 302 armoured personnel carriers into service. In October 2024, photos emerged online showing the transport of Pbv 302s by rail across Europe. The vehicles were spotted at a train station in the Czech Republic, among other places.
The video released by the Ukrainian Ground Forces proves that the vehicles (or at least some of them) are already in Ukraine and have entered active service. Soldiers have been trained in their operation and have had time to evaluate the Swedish vehicles. In the mentioned recording, they primarily highlight the ease of operation of the Pbv 302 armoured personnel carriers, practical design, and driving comfort. They also praise the vehicle's ability to move through difficult terrain, including soft ground, swamps, sandy areas, and water obstacles.
Swedish armoured personnel carrier
The Pbv 302 is a Swedish armoured personnel carrier developed in the 1960s by Haglund & Saner. The vehicles began mass production in 1966, with approximately 700 units. The Pbv 302 constituted the primary vehicle for Swedish mechanized infantry for many years. It began being phased out in the early 1990s when Sweden introduced CV90 combat vehicles.
The Pbv 302 combines protection with combat support, which is crucial for safely delivering troops to the front lines. The vehicle is armed with a 20 mm Hispano-Suiza Type 804 cannon and a 7.62 mm Ksp 58 machine gun. It also features a smoke grenade launcher. It can carry a crew of 3 and 8-10 soldiers. The Pbv 302 can reach speeds of about 70 km/h, and its range is estimated at around 300 km.
