The Pbv 302 formed the armoured backbone of the Swedish Army. 650 vehicles were manufactured between 1965 to 1971. It is being replaced with the more advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, CV90.
The Basics:
Firepower - The vehicle is equipped with a manual turret that houses a 20mm cannon. It can fire High Explosive rounds (belt fed, 135 rounds per belt) or Armour Piercing (10 round magazine). The gun elevation is 50+ to -10. Turret traverses 360 degrees.
Mobility - The vehicle uses a Volvo THD 100B turbo charged diesel. It’s located under the driver in the floor. It gives the vehicle a top road speed of 66km/h and range of 300km. The vehicle is fully amphibious with preparation (trim vanes & bilge pumps) and propelled by its tracks.
Protection - The vehicle is an welded steel construction with space armour. The front of the vehicle can withstand 20mm gun fire. It uses smoke grenade launchers and Lyran launchers.
Crew - The driver sits in the front middle, gunner in turret to his left and the commander to his right. The troop compartment is in the rear. It holds 8 equipped troops on benches. They exit through two rear doors and have roof hatches.
Variants:
Stripbv 3021 - Armoured command vehicle, has four radio antennas and additional communications equipment.
Epbv 3022 - Armoured observation vehicle. Commanders hatch has been replaced with a cupola equipped with laser range finding equipment. Has even more antennas.
Bplpbv 3023 - Fire direction post.
Rlpbv 3024 - Radio relay station.
Combat History:
The vehicle was used in varying theatres in the former Yugoslavia with Swedish forces, such as KFOR & IFOR.
These vehicles were modified with additional passive armour.
The vehicle, despite being a very good design, was never exported.