Through an official video released by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they have confirmed the entry into service of the armored vehicles PBV 302 donated by Sweden. The viral video shows the training and preparation of Ukrainian crews in the operation, maintenance, and deployment of the armored vehicles. However, their use in combat support operations, which is their main function, has not yet been confirmed.
At the end of May, in the context of confirming the transfer of a Saab 340 AEW&C airborne early warning and control aircraft, Sweden also confirmed that the support package for Ukraine would include the donation of PBV 302 armored vehicles, which had been decommissioned by the Swedish Army and stored since 2014.
Since the announcement, both the Armed Forces of Sweden and Ukraine have progressed in negotiations and arrangements to finalize the donation and transfer of the first units, which began to be supplied since October.
The PBV 302 is an armored personnel carrier designed by Hägglund & Söner in the 1960s, introduced into active service in 1966, and has seen combat deployment in the Balkans.
These vehicles can transport equipment for up to 8 soldiers (in addition to a crew of 3), providing protection with external ceramic armor and an internal anti-spall layer that allows them to withstand direct impacts from projectiles up to 20 mm. Notably, the PBV 302 is equipped with a Hispano-Suiza automatic cannon of the same caliber, which in its heyday equipped Swedish combat aircraft.
While no further details on the quantity were provided, the Swedish government expressed its intention to transfer all stored units, which would amount to around 200 committed vehicles. In light of the recent video released by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the operation of the vehicles and shooting practices with the 20 mm Hispano HS-804 cannon, which equips several of these units, are clearly visible, including the loading of ammunition.
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