Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302)

History

Although Sweden is rarely seen as a center of military power on a par with the United States, the United Kingdom or Russia, Sweden appears to have always been at the forefront of military efforts, taking a more planned, balanced and hardware approach to defense. With experience in tank production prior to World War II, it seemed only a matter of time before the country followed its Western counterparts and provided armoured personnel carriers worthy of its army.

The Pbv 302 (Pansarbandvagn 302) is just that, an APC in the shape of the American FMC M113 system - it actually looks similar to the outside system - but always full of Swedish innovation.

The former Swedish armored personnel carrier was the Pbv 301 with a 20mm main gun and a passenger compartment for 8 infantrymen. But age has finally caught up with the 301, and a new design solution is being developed.

The resulting carriers became the Pbv 302 series and would be the backbone of the Swedish Armed Forces for decades.

From the outside, the design of the 302 is very simple. Straight sides greet onlookers, but the notable exception is the well-sloped all-welded steel front hull. Equipped with five large wheels on each side of the track, it is powered by a 280-horsepower 6-cylinder Volvo engine. The two crew consisted of the driver sitting in the center of the front of the hull and the commander on the left and right.

Up to 10 combat-ready infantry can be carried at the rear of the hull, with access through the rear double doors.

The basic weapon of the Pbv 302 is a 20mm Hispano gun. The gun is mounted on a powered turret on the front of the fuselage and to the left of the driver. Self-defense is further enhanced by 6 smoke grenade launchers and 2 Lyra flare launchers.

Like most other successful armored designs, the chassis of the 302 was further serviced in other forms, including prototype command, fire control post and observation post vehicles. Proposed designs include the Mk 2 branding with various modifications to the original production model, as well as a dedicated infantry fighting vehicle with a 25mm main gun mounted in the turret assembly.

302 was offered for export to Swedish allies, but not purchased. The country maintains strict export rules, so the scope of the Swedish manufacturing system is usually limited to Sweden itself.

Regardless, the Pbv 302 continues the long tradition of high-quality Swedish weapons that form the basis of the highly regarded defense industry.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

505x20mm ammo.

1,000 x 7.62mm ammo.

6 x Smoke Grenade.

Changes