Swedish Pbv 302: Ukraine's latest game-changer in warfare
The Ukrainian ground forces have added another model of armored vehicles to their arsenal. This update is evidenced by a video released by the Ukrainian ground forces, which shows that the Swedish armored personnel carriers, Pbv 302 (Pansarbandvagn 302), have officially entered service. Ukrainian soldiers have already undergone training on these vehicles, and some initial opinions about the Pbv 302 have even emerged.
4:59 PM EST, November 4, 2024
In May 2024, Sweden announced that it would donate all available Pbv 302 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The vehicles were set to be supplied to newly formed brigades, and the Swedes committed to providing the necessary spare parts, maintenance equipment, and ammunition.
Swedish Pbv 302 in Ukraine
In August 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense officially authorized the Swedish Pbv 302 armored personnel carriers into service. By October 2024, photos emerged online showing the transport of Pbv 302s across Europe by rail. The vehicles were spotted at a train station in the Czech Republic, among other locations.
The video the Ukrainian ground forces released confirms that the vehicles (or at least some of them) are already in Ukraine and have been deployed in active service. Soldiers have been trained in their operation and have had the opportunity to evaluate the Swedish vehicles. The recording highlights the ease of operation of the Pbv 302 armored personnel carriers, their practical design, and driving comfort. They also praise the vehicle's capabilities in navigating difficult terrain, such as soft ground, swamps, sandy areas, and water obstacles.
Swedish armored personnel carrier
The Pbv 302 is a Swedish armored personnel carrier developed in the 1960s by Haglund & Saner. Mass production of the vehicles began in 1966, with approximately 700 units produced in total. The Pbv 302 served as the primary vehicle for Swedish mechanized infantry for many years, starting to be phased out in the early 1990s when Sweden introduced the CV90 combat vehicles.
The Pbv 302 combines protection with combat support, which is crucial for safely delivering troops to the front lines. It has a 20 mm Hispano-Suiza Type 804 cannon and a 7.62 mm Ksp 58 machine gun. The Pbv 302 also features a smoke grenade launcher and can carry a crew of 3 and 8-10 soldiers. It can reach speeds of about 43 mph, with a range estimated at around 186 miles.
