Ikv 91 - Infanterikanonvagn 91

The Ikv 91, or Infanterikanonvagn 91, was a high mobility tank destroyer that was developed to meet the operational requirements of the Swedish Army. It was designed and manufactured by Hägglund and Söner (now Hägglunds Vehicle AB) and employed common components with the Pbv 302 armoured personnel carrier series. The first prototypes of the Ikv 91 were completed in 1969 with production running from 1975 until 1978. The total numbers manufactured were 212.

In layout, the Ikv 91 resembled a large light tank. The main armament consisted of a Bofors 90 mm L/54 rifled low pressure gun, firing HEAT, armor-piercing and HE rounds, in a well sloped revolving turret which gave protection up to 25 mm calibre. This gun had an elevation of +15 degrees and depression of -10. In addition, the Ikv 91 was fitted with two 7.62 mm Browning machine guns; one in a coaxial mounting, and the second on a pintle attached to the commander's cupola. The machine guns were first used for a range firing but in later versions a laser is used; however the machine guns prove very useful against enemy infantry positions. Two 71 mm Lyran flare launchers were mounted on the turret along with a set of smoke dischargers (usually 12). The vehicle was equipped with a laser rangefinder, nightvision and a computerised fire-control system for increased first-round hit probability. The rate of fire was 8 rounds per minute and 59 rounds of 90 mm ammunition were carried internally. The tank can even fire while in water with the water taking most of the recoil. The turret itself has a small hatch which can be opened by the loader to eject used cartridge cases to prevent clutter in the tank.

Infanterikanonvagn 91
Type	Tank destroyer
Place of origin	Sweden
Specifications
Weight	16.3 tonnes
Length	6.41 m 8.85 m (including gun)
Width	3.00 m
Height	2.32 m
Crew	4
Armor	Secret (protects against 20 mm grenades)
Main armament	90 mm gun KV90S73
Secondary armament	Two 7.62 mm machine guns m/39 Two Lyran 71 mm light grenade launchers
Engine	Diesel Volvo-Penta model TD 120 A, 4-step turbocharged straight six-cylinder; cylinder volume 11.97 litres 330 hp at 2200 rpm
Power/weight	20.2 hp/tonne
Suspension	Torsion beam suspension
Operational range	500 km
Speed	65 km/h

With wide tracks and a high power to weight ratio, the Ikv 91 offered exceptionally good off-road mobility, and the low ground pressure enabled it to operate over summer taiga and winter snow. The vehicle was fully amphibious with little preparation by the crew, and some models were equipped with propellers for increased speed in the water. Screens are erected to stop water from entering the engine and the cabin compartment and a vane to protect from oncoming waves. The vehicle weighed 16.3 tonnes and had a crew of four. It was powered by a Volvo 12 liter, 330 hp, diesel engine. Maximum road speed was 65 km/h. The range on roads was about 500 km.

Ikv 91 was retired from the Swedish army in the late 1990s–early 2000s and was partly replaced by Strf 90 combat vehicles and partly by Leopard 2 tanks. When in active duty, the Ikv 91 was assigned to the Swedish infantry brigades, who had one company of 12 vehicles each, and temporarily the 10th Mechanized Brigade, who had two companies along with Centurion tanks during the 1980s. In 2000 all Swedish infantry brigades were phased out and the 10th mech. bge had its Ikv 91 replaced with centurion tanks in late 1980s – early 1990s. Plans were made to replace its 90 mm gun with a 105 mm gun or even a TOW missile launcher, only the 105mm gun was made as a prototype in 1983 (Ikv 105), but none went into production as the tasks these vehicle could have performed could easily be tasked to Leopard tanks or CV90s.

The Ikv 105 was marketed for export and was tested by both India and the United States. The weight was 18 tons and the speed in water was increased to 12 km/h, the main gun was a low recoil fully stabilized version of a high pressure Bofors gun. It was night vision driving and fire control enabled by an IR system provided by SAAB, with fire control monitors for both gunner and tank commander.