Stridsvagn 122 Explained

Stridsvagn 122
Origin:	Sweden and Germany^[1]
Type:	Main battle tank
Is Vehicle:	yes
Is Uk:	no
Service:	1997–present^[2]
Used By:	Swedish Army Ukrainian Ground Forces
Wars:	Russo-Ukrainian War Russian invasion of Ukraine
Manufacturer:	Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 29 chassis Land Systems Hägglunds AB: 91 chassis
Unit Cost:	US$5.74 million (FY 1994) (~$11.9 million FY 2023)
Production Date:	1994–2002
Number:	120
Variants:	Strv 122A (110 chassis) Strv 122B (10 chassis)
Weight:	^[3]
Length:	9.97m (32.71feet) (gun forward)
Width:	3.75m (12.3feet)
Height:	3m (10feet)
Crew:	4
Armour:	3rd generation composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component.
Primary Armament:	1 x 120 mm Rheinmetall L44 smoothbore tank gun 42 rounds
Secondary Armament:	2 x 7.62×51mm NATO Ksp m/94 machine gun 4,750 rounds 4 x 2 GALIX smoke grenade launchers
Engine:	MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V-12 Twin-turbo diesel engine
Engine Power:	1,500 PS (1,479 hp, 1,103 kW) at 2,600 rpm
Transmission:	Renk HSWL 354
Fuel Capacity:	1,200 liters (317 US gallons; 264 imp. gal)
Pw Ratio:	24.19PS/t
Suspension:	Torsion-bar suspension
Clearance:	540 mm
Vehicle Range:	550km (340miles) (internal fuel)
Speed:	68km/h

Stridsvagn 122 (strv 122, in Swedish pronounced as /ˈstrɪ̂tːsvaŋn/) is a Swedish main battle tank that, like the German Leopard 2A5, is based on the German Leopard 2 Improved variant utilizing such newer technology as command, control, and fire-control systems, reinforced armour, and long-term combat capacity. Externally, the vehicle is distinguished from the Leopard 2A5 by the French GALIX smoke dispensers, different storage bins, and the thicker crew hatches.^[4]

Development

After the strv 2000 project for a new Swedish main battle tank was cancelled,^[5] the Swedish government decided in 1991 that a foreign main battle tank was to be procured to replace the Strv 101, 102, 103 and 104 in service at the time. During the project "Strv Ny", three tank models were sent to Sweden to participate in trials: the American M1A2 Abrams, the German Leopard 2 Improved, and a prototype variant of the French Leclerc.

The trials concluded with the Leopard 2 approved as the winner and the M1A2 in second place. The shortcomings of the Leclerc were partly attributed to it still being in the development phase and not yet mature for service. In 1994 the Swedish government decided to acquire 120 new production tanks and 160 older Leopard 2A4s as a stopgap before the newer tanks were finished. The Leopard 2A4 in Swedish service became designated strv 121 while the new production became the strv 122. Of the 120 strv 122, 29 were manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann while the other 91 were manufactured by Bofors and Hägglunds.^[6]

Features

The Leopard PT A's width of 3.75 meters was maintained and the weight increased by .^[7]

The strv 122 was designed to fight in Swedish conditions including heavily forested areas as well as urban terrain. The designation derives from the 12 cm gun; it was the second tank in Swedish service featuring this calibre (the first being the strv 121 — a Leopard 2A4 fitted with Swedish lights and radios and painted in Swedish camouflage). The Swedish strv 122 features:^[8]

• Heavily reinforced armour to protect against man-portable anti-tank weapons.
• An advanced CBRN defence system for protection against chemical, biological, and radioactive weapons.
• Wading capability to pass through water up to 1.4 meters deep.
• Quick ability to discover, identify, and lock-on a target with the assistance of a laser rangefinder, thermographic camera, and a speed/distance/accuracy calculator for maximum accuracy.
• Ability to lock-on to numerous targets at once, enabling the tank to fight numerous enemy vehicles without having to manually re-aim the gun after every shot.
• Active communication for improved cooperation between units.
• Tank Command & Control System (TCCS) by Celsius Tech Systems AB.^[3]

Production and service

As of 2013, 42 of these tanks remained in active service.^[9] Most of the leased 160 Leopard 2A4s (local designation strv 121) were being returned to Germany.^[10] The active tanks are divided between three companies, two at P 4, Skövde and one at I 19, Boden.^[11] In 2015, the Swedish government decided that another tank company should be established at the P 18 regiment on the island of Gotland. This company was to be trained at P 4 and transferred to P 18 in 2019.^{[12] [13]}

In 2016, Sweden ordered new upgrades for the strv 122 from Krauss-Maffei, with planned delivery between 2018 and 2023.^[14] Apart from routine renovation, the Stridsledningssystem Bataljon (a tactical battalion command system from SAAB), a new observation/gun sight (TIM) for the commander, and new communication systems for international missions, were to be added. A modular 360° ballistic protection system was originally planned but not implemented. This new upgraded version is designated strv 122C if the upgraded vehicle was originally a strv 122A variant, or strv 122D if based on a strv 122B.^[15]

On 24 February 2023 the Swedish government announced that it would send 10 strv 122A to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.^[16]

Strv 123A

In October 2023 the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced that a total of 44 strv 122 will be upgraded to the strv 123A standard. Modifications include the more powerful L/55 gun, new tracks, improved optics for the commander and gunner, and a night sight for the driver. Most of the electronics will also be replaced which will bring the tanks closer in line with more modern Leopard 2 variants. The first strv 123A tank is to be delivered in 2026.^{[17] [18]}

The contract also includes the option of modernising all of the Swedish army's strv 122 main battle tanks.^[19]

Variants

• strv 122A – Baseline variant. Entered service in 1997.^[20]
• strv 122B – Variant with improved mine protection; modification of existing strv 122A models in 2002.
• strv 122B Int. – Modified for international deployments in warmer climates. Command & Control Systems were made NATO-compatible. Barracuda camouflage nets that damp the infrared signature were applied.^[21]
• strv 122C – Renovated strv 122A with updated Command & Control systems by FMV's FSV Mv division and KMW.
• strv 122D – Renovated strv 122B with updated Command & Control systems by FMV's FSV Mv division and KMW.
• strv 122B+ Evolution – Prototype made by IBD and Åkers Krutbruk Protection AB in 2010. Increased protection levels using more advanced composite materials.^[22]
• strv 123A – Upgraded variant with L/55 gun, programmable ammunition, new driver's night sight and improved optics. First delivery expected in 2026.

Operational history

On 24 September 2023, during the Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, two Ukrainian Strv 122 tanks were lost in combat.^[23] However, one of them was recovered shortly after, repaired, and later inspected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.^[24]

On 30 October 2023, an strv 122 tank was knocked out by a Russian heavy anti-tank missile. The four crew of the tank were reported to have been seen escaping.^[25]

According to the Oryx blog as 14 April 2024, seven out of ten strv 122, have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^{[26] [27]}

Comparison with other main battle tanks

+ Comparison of some main battle tanks of the same generation
	style=width:20%	strv 122	style=width:20%	M1A2	style=width:20%	T-90	style=width:20%	Leopard 2A5	style=width:20%	Challenger 2
Unit cost	US$5.74 million (second-hand, FY 2007)^[28]	US$6.21 million (domestic cost, FY 1999)^[29]	US$4.25 million (export cost, FY 2011)^[30]	US$6.86 million (domestic cost, FY 1999)^[31]	US$6.53 million (domestic cost, FY 1999)^[32]
Weight	68.9ST	69.54ST^[33]	51ST^[34]	68.7ST^[35]	82.6ST^[36]
Length	9.97 meters^[37]	9.77 meters	9.63 meters	9.97 meters	11.50 meters
Width	3.75 meters	3.7 meters	3.78 meters	3.75 meters	3.5 meters
Height	3 meters	2.4 meters	2.22 meters	3 meters	2.49 meters
Crew	4	4	3	4	4
Armor	3rd generation composite	Depleted Uranium composite	Composite/reactive	3rd generation composite	Dorchester Level 2 (classified)
Main armament	1x 120 mm Rheinmetall L/44 smoothbore gun	1x M256 120 mm L/44 smoothbore gun	1x 125 mm L/48 smoothbore gun	1x 120 mm Rheinmetall L/44 smoothbore gun	1x 120 mm L30 L/55 rifled gun
Main ammunition	42 rounds	42 rounds	42 rounds	42 rounds	50 rounds
Secondary armament	2x 7.62mm machine guns	1x 12.7mm heavy machine gun 2x 7.62mm machine guns	1x 12.7mm heavy machine gun 1x 7.62mm machine gun	2x 7.62mm machine guns	Coaxial 7.62×51mm L94A1 EX-34 (chain gun), 7.62×51mm L7A2 (GPMG) Loader's Pintle Mounted Machine Gun
Secondary ammunition	4,750 rounds	900 rounds 10,000 rounds	7,000 rounds	4,750 rounds	4,000 rounds^[38]
Engine power	1,500 hp	1,500 hp	1,000 hp	1,500 hp	1,200 bhp
Power/weight	24.00 hp/t	23.54 hp/t	21.74 hp/t	24.07 hp/t	19.2 hp/t
Suspension	Torsion-bar suspension	Torsion-bar suspension	Torsion-bar suspension	Torsion-bar suspension	Hydropneumatic
Fuel capacity	1,200 liters	1,900 liters	1,600 liters (with auxiliary drums)^[39]	1,200 liters	1,592 liters
Operational range	550 km	425 km	550 km	550 km	450 km
Speed	68 km/h	68 km/h	65 km/h	72 km/h	59 km/h

Operators

Current operators

• Sweden - 120 units built in Germany and Sweden, 10 were sent to Ukraine. 110 remained in Sweden.^[40]
• Ukraine - 10 units delivered. 7 destroyed, damaged or captured.^[41]

References

Bibliography

• Book: Foss, Christopher F. . Jane's Armour and Artillery . Jane's Publishing Company . 2002 . 978-0-7106-0964-9.

External links

• Stridsvagn 122 – Strv122

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lindström . Rickard O. . Strv 121 & Strv 122 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225091959/http://ointres.se/strv_121_och_strv_122.htm . 25 February 2021 . 9 May 2021 . Ointres . SE.
2. Book: Rickard O. . Lindström . Carl-Gustaf . Svantesson . amp . 2009 . Svenskt Pansar: 90 år av svensk stridsfordonsutveckling . Swedish Armor: 90 years of Swedish combat vehicle development . sv . Finland . Bookwell Oy . 112 . 978-91-85789-375.
3. Web site: Leopard 2 – Stridsvagn 122 Facts . Swedish Defence Materiel Administration . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027030616/http://www.fmv.se/sv/Projekt/Stridsvagn-121-och-122-Leopard-2-/Fakta/ . 27 October 2016 . dead.
4. Web site: Stridsvagn 122. https://web.archive.org/web/20050210213646/http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/Page.aspx?id=1106 . dead . 10 February 2005 . 10 February 2005 . Försvarets materielverk . 3 November 2018.
5. Web site: Projekt "Stridsvagn 2000" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923154354/http://www.ointres.se/strv_2000.htm . 23 September 2023 . 16 April 2023 . www.ointres.se.
6. Web site: Projekt "Stridsvagn Ny" . 13 May 2022 . Ointres . SE . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718171654/http://www.ointres.se/projekt_stridsvagn_ny.htm . live .
7. Web site: New MBT122B Evolution with Unprecedented Protection . 28 December 2010 . IBD Deisenroth Engineering . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111008032615/http://www.ibd-deisenroth-engineering.de/news/items/MBT122B_with_new_Protection.html?file=tl_files%2Fresources%2Fcontent-pdfs%2F2010-12%20New%20MBT122B%20Evolution%20with%20Unprecedented%20Protection.pdf . 8 October 2011 .
8. Web site: Stridsvagn 122 . 26 January 2018 . Försvarsmakten . sv . https://web.archive.org/web/20171121005751/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/information-och-fakta/materiel-och-teknik/mark/stridsvagn-122/ . 21 November 2017 . live .
9. Web site: Strv 122 Tank . Fighting vehicles . 3 December 2016 . 25 November 2017 . 42 Strv 122 remain in active service. . https://web.archive.org/web/20171127213438/http://fighting-vehicles.com/strv-122-tank/ . 27 November 2017 . live .
10. Web site: Stridsvagnar kör sista varvet . . sv . https://web.archive.org/web/20140718231258/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/skane/stridsvagnar-kor-sista-varvet/ . 18 July 2014 . 22 September 2014 .
11. Web site: Stridsvagn 122 (Strv 122) Main Battle Tank (1998) . Military factory . 2011 . 23 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150316171905/http://militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=457 . 16 March 2015 . live .
12. Web site: Leino . Per . 13 December 2017 . Klartecken för Gotlands regemente . 3 October 2022 . Helagotland . SE . sv . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006062634/https://helagotland.se/samhalle/klartecken-for-gotlands-regemente-14995163.aspx . live .
13. Web site: Verksamhet på Gotland . 3 October 2022 . Försvarsmakten . sv . 10 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230610035041/https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/organisation/gotlands-regemente-p-18/var-verksamhet-pa-gotland/ . live .
14. Web site: Stridsvagnssystem . Magnus . Hellgren . FMV . SE . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181104085530/http://fmv.se/sv/Projekt/Stridsvagnssystem/ . 4 November 2018 . live.
15. Web site: Nu rustas Leopardstridsvagnen . Nyteknik . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181104050239/https://www.nyteknik.se/fordon/nu-rustas-leopardstridsvagnen-6402804#conversion-122831618 . 4 November 2018 . live.
16. Web site: Regeringen och Regeringskansliet . 24 February 2023 . Heavy advanced weapons to Ukraine in new support package . 2 March 2023 . Regeringskansliet . en . 16 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230616100528/https://government.se/press-releases/2023/02/heavy-advanced-weapons-to-ukraine-in-new-support-package/ . live .
17. Web site: FMV tecknar kontrakt om omfattande uppgradering av stridsvagn 122 . 13 April 2024 . www.fmv.se . sv.
18. Web site: Stridsvagn 122 blir stridsvagn 123A . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011100858/https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2023/10/stridsvagn-122-blir-stridsvagn-123a/ . 11 October 2023 . 11 October 2023 . Försvarsmakten.
19. Web site: KNDS is modernising Sweden's fleet of main battle tanks - KNDS . 13 April 2024 . www.knds.de.
20. Web site: Strv 121 / Strv 122 . 12 May 2022 . Ointres.se . 25 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225091959/http://ointres.se/strv_121_och_strv_122.htm . live .
21. Web site: Stridsvagn . SPHF . 12 May 2022 . sv-SE . 28 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230728234920/https://www.sphf.se/svenskt-pansar/fordon/stridsvagn-2/ . live .
22. Web site: Lindström . Richard . 2011 . Stridsvagn 122B+ Evolution . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331080538/http://www.ointres.se/2011-03-18_pansar_strv122b.pdf . 31 March 2022 . 12 May 2022 . Ointes.se.
23. Web site: The Russians Just Knocked Out A Fifth Of The Ukrainians' Best Strv 122 Tanks. Forbes. David. Axe. 24 September 2023. 9 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109115735/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/09/23/the-russians-just-knocked-out-a-fifth-of-the-ukrainians-best-strv-122-tanks/. live.
24. Web site: Ukrainian troops recovered one of their damaged Strv 122 tanks in time for the tank to meet the president. Forbes. David. Axe. 6 October 2023. 8 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231008182953/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/10/04/ukrainian-troops-recovered-one-of-their-damaged-strv-122-tanks-in-time-for-the-tank-to-meet-the-president/?sh=24dc1da97b4b/. live.
25. Web site: Axe . David . Another Leopard 2 Down! Russia Is Destroying Ukraine's Best Tanks At An Accelerating Rate. . 16 November 2023 . Forbes . en . 3 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231103204637/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/10/30/another-leopard-2-down-russia-is-destroying-ukraines-best-tanks-at-an-accelerating-rate/ . live .
26. Web site: Attack on Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine . 21 January 2024 . 21 January 2024 . 10 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510152646/https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html . live .
27. Web site: Leopardy i Jastrzębie ze Szwecji dla Ukrainy. Leopards and Hawks from Sweden for Ukraine. Adam. Świerkowski. 24 February 2023. Defence24.pl. pl. 25 February 2023. 27 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230327145158/https://defence24.pl/wojna-na-ukrainie-raport-specjalny-defence24/leopardy-i-jastrzebie-ze-szwecji-dla-ukrainy. live.
28. Foss, p. 116.
29. Foss, pp. 149–153
30. Web site: Denial of Defense Procurement MBT T-90 is not connected with the qualitative characteristics of this sample of military equipment – Ministry of Industry of the Russian Federation . Arms-Tass . 17 March 2011 . 19 March 2011 . 26 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726044120/http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=93690&cid=25 . live .
31. Foss, p. 114.
32. Foss, pp. 130–135
33. Web site: M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank . Global security.org . 2013 . 23 May 2015 . Pike . John . 25 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151025174950/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m1-specs.htm . live .
34. Web site: T-90 Main Battle Tank (MBT) (1995) . MilitaryFactory.com . 2 February 2015 . 23 May 2015 . 11 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150711164242/http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=161 . live .
35. Web site: Leopard 2A5 Main Battle Tank . Military-today.com . 2014 . 24 May 2015 . Genys . Andrius . 24 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154028/http://www.military-today.com/tanks/leopard_2a5.htm . live .
36. Web site: Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (1998) . Militaryfactory.com . 1 August 2014 . 24 May 2015 . 24 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154641/http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=11 . live .
37. Foss, p. 117.
38. Web site: Combat Vehicles: Challenger 2 main battle tank . British Army . 18 June 2015 . 6 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006150636/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23236.aspx . live .
39. Web site: T-90 MBT main battle tank technical data pictures video . Army Recognition . 11 January 2024 . 30 July 2021 . 20 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230720004749/https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_tank_heavy_armoured_vehicles_u/t-90_mbt_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_information_description_pictures.html . live .
40. Web site: Strv 121 / Strv 122. Swedish.
41. Web site: Attack on Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine . 21 January 2024 . 21 January 2024 . 10 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510152646/https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html . live .