Ikv 91

 9129 hits on target since 1998-04-13

The Ikv 91 certainly was a tank destroyer and not a light tank. Entering service in 1975 it was until the early nineties been the most modern AFV in swedish service. Being born into the world of the IB 77 infantrybrigade organization it has less to do with swedish mechanized units that one would believe upon seing the vehicle. Each infantrybrigade and Norrlandbrigade had a tank destroyer company of 12 ikv 91 in three platoons  and a rifle platoon. The company was often split up between the brigades battalions and only rarely fought as one unit. The exception being the two companies that were part of the 10th mechanized brigade in the early eighties. Two companies replaced tank companies in this brigade in an odd organization. These two were organized as ordinary tank companies of that era. Four three vehicle platoons and a rifle platoon. These companies fought as one unit. Today the Ikv is retired.

The Ikv-91 was as earlier mentioned a dedicated tank destroyer and not a light tank. It used the same tactics as jeepmounted 9 cm recoilless rifles and its 9 cm low pressure gun fired a HE round as well as HEAT. It was also armed with two 7,62 mm Ksp m/39 MG. In addition to this two 71 mm LYRAN illumination grenade mortars were mounted. Being built in 1975 it was fitted with a laser and integrated fire control system producing a high chance of a first round hit. 

Its hunter-killer system was far better than later foreign designs. The turretdesign was extremely well thought out and when the Centurion was modified in the eighties many of the excellent features of the gunners station were incorporated in the Cent but even more improved. This resulted in that the gunners station on the Strv 104 upgraded Centurion was superior both to the Leo 2 and the M1 according to those who have experience with these vehicles. Rate of fire was very high. Its most important feature is the extremely good mobility, this due to the weight of only 16,3 tons limiting the protection. Although at disadvantage against tanks in duels these units often fought succesfully in delaying actions using ambushes.