Land Weapons

Light Tank (1975)

Hägglund und Söner

Ikv 91

Ikv 91
Ikv 91

The Infanterikanonvagn 91 (Ikv 91) was designed as a light tank/tank destroyer hybrid in order to replace a number of older post-war vehicles that were rapidly becoming obsolescent. The Ikv 91 is a mostly conventional tank design, including an all-welded hull which affords protection from hits of up to 20-mm caliber. The same protection is afforded in the two-man turret which mounts a 90-mm Bofors-designed low-pressure gun that fires HE and HEAT rounds. Secondary armament includes a coaxial machine gun as well as another gun mounted on th loader's cupola. The engine and transmission are located at the rear of the hull, with a fire-proof bulkhead protecting the crew compartment, the Ikv 91 is also notable for using many commercially avaiable automotive components, which facilitated maintenance. Mobility is excellent as a result of the tank's wide tracks which gave it the necessary low ground pressure to operate over snow. Additionally, the Ikv 91 is fully amphibious requiring only the turning on of four bilge pumps and erection of a trim vane on the front hull and low screens on the rear hull. NBC protection is also provided. Despite the Ikv 91's capabilities and versatility, it never found export success but remained in front-line service with the Swedish Army until the 1990s.

No variants of the basic Ikv 19 vehicle were built. Plans to equip it with a more powerful 105-mm fell through although a prototype was built.

Preceded by:

None

Related:

Pbv 302 (1966)

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignIkv 91
TypeLight Tank
Year1975
Crew4
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)6.41 m (8.84 m)
Width3 m
Height2.355 m
Ground Clearance0.400 m
Track0 m
Track Width450 mm
Track on Ground3.750 m
Weight
Combat15,500 kg
Ground Pressure0.45 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)69 km/h
Range (Off-Road)550 km
AmphibiousYes (7 km/h)
Vertical Obstacle0.80 m
Trench2.80 m
Gradient60%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 295-hp
Volvo-Penta
Model TD 120
FuelDiesel
Power/Weight19.03 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 90-mm L/54
KV 90 S73

Smoothbore Gun
↑ 15° / ↓ -10° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryCoaxial:
1 x 0-mm

Anti-Aircraft:
1 x 0-mm

Ammo7.62-mm: 4,250
Armor
TypeSteel
Thickness4 - 30 mm
Max Effective41 - 48 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front12 mm / 73°
Hull Lower Front30 mm / 30°
Hull Upper Sides8 mm
Hull Upper Rear8 mm
Hull Lower Rear4 mm
Hull Top12 mm
Hull Bottom8 mm
Turret Mantlet20 mm
Turret Front10 mm / 78°
Turret Sides12 mm / 38°
Turret Rear12 mm / 20°
Turret Top8 mm
Production
Built212
Total212

Gallery