Sweden Deploys Lvkv 9040 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun Systems to Latvia
Sweden, the newest member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has decided to deploy several Luftvärnskanonvagn 90 (Lvkv 9040) self-propelled anti-aircraft gun systems to Latvia as part of the NATO mission led by Canada. According to the Swedish Ministry of Defense, these anti-aircraft weapons, scheduled to arrive in Latvia in early 2026, will enhance NATO’s defense capabilities against threats on its eastern flank.
Before Sweden, Spain deployed more than 100 military personnel to the Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia, along with the NASAMS air defense system, as part of NATO’s efforts to strengthen air defense in the Baltic region.
The Luftvärnskanonvagn (Lvkv) 9040 is a short-range anti-aircraft vehicle based on the Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) infantry fighting vehicle chassis designed to counter threats such as helicopters, CAS aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system is equipped with a PS-95 radar providing 360° airspace surveillance and a 40mm Bofors L/70 cannon. It can also fire special Bofors 3P ammunition.
The deployment of a Swedish battalion reinforced with LVKV 90 air defense systems to Latvia took place at a time when Russian jets and unmanned aerial vehicles were frequently violating NATO airspace. The most recent incident occurred on October 23, in Lithuanian airspace, where two Russian military aircraft violated the Baltic country’s airspace for 18 seconds, prompting two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter jets to scramble. Poland, Romania, Denmark, Latvia, and Estonia have also been subjected to such violations in recent weeks.
In this environment, Latvia expects to begin receiving the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense systems and RBS 70 NG short-range, portable air defense systems it had previously ordered, with deliveries scheduled for 2026, to establish its own layered air defense system and enable interoperability within NATO. During this period, NATO will continue to support Latvia as part of its efforts to strengthen air defense in the Baltic region.