Stridsvagn 122 (strv 122, ) 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.

Development

After the strv 2000 project for a new Swedish main battle tank was cancelled, 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.

Features

The Leopard PT A's width of 3.75 meters was maintained and the weight increased by 350 kg. 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:

Production and service

Only 42 strv 122 tanks were in active service as of 2013, with each tank being rotated with those kept in storage to minimise wear. They were divided between three companies, two under the Skaraborg Regiment, P 4 at Skövde and one under Norrbottens Regiment, I 19 at Boden. In August the same year, the Swedish government announced that it would be upgrading its strv 122 tanks to extend their operational lifespan to 2030. Initial reports stated that 56 tanks were set to be upgraded but this figure was revised to 42 later on. In 2016, upgrades for 88 tanks were ordered. The tanks would receive a tactical battalion command system from SAAB (Stridsledningssystem Bataljon), a new observation/gun sight (TIM) for the commander, and new communication systems for international missions. A modular 360° ballistic protection system had been planned but not implemented. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann was contracted to do the upgrades for 46 tanks, while the remainder were handled by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) with upgrade kits procured from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. Planned delivery between 2018 and 2023. In 2015, the Swedish government decided that an additional tank company should be established on the island of Gotland. This company was to be trained at P 4 and transferred to the re-established Gotland Regiment, P 18 in 2019. On 24 February 2023 the Swedish government announced that it would send 10 strv 122A to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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

Variants

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. However, one of them was recovered shortly after, repaired, and later inspected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On 30 October 2023, a 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. According to the Oryx blog as 19 September 2024, seven out of ten strv 122, had been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Comparison with other main battle tanks

Operators

Current operators