Elbit Iron Fist APS Wins $150M NATO CV90 Contract After Live-Fire Milestone
Elbit Systems has secured approximately $150 million in contracts to deliver its Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) for integration on NATO CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, following a rare live-fire demonstration success in Europe.
The awards, made through Swedish armored vehicle maker BAE Systems Hägglunds, will see Iron Fist fitted to CV90 IFVs operated by European NATO member states as part of ongoing efforts to improve armored vehicle survivability.
Rare Live-Fire Validation Boosts Confidence
The latest contract follows a September 2025 live-fire event in Europe where Iron Fist successfully intercepted more than a dozen 120mm kinetic energy (KE) APFSDS tank rounds — a notable achievement for vehicle APS technology.
Iron Fist combines radar and electro-optical sensors with interceptor munitions to provide 360-degree “hard kill” protection against a wide spectrum of threats, including:
- Anti-tank rockets and guided missiles
- Unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions
- Kinetic energy tank rounds and shaped charges
Expanding Western Amphibious Protection
As the Israel Defense Forces’ second-generation APS, Iron Fist has seen growing adoption in Western armored vehicle modernization programs, reinforcing its reputation among NATO partners. Elbit emphasized that the live-fire results “reinforce trust in the system’s capabilities,” with the BAE Systems Hägglunds partnership central to expanding its European footprint.
What This Means for CV90 Operators
The CV90 family — operated widely across NATO Europe — stands to benefit from improved survivability against evolving battlefield threats. Countries fielding CV90 IFVs have increasingly prioritized active protection technologies alongside traditional armor upgrades.
