The first of 144 CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle in serial production has been delivered to the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization by BAE Systems.

BAE Systems Hagglunds, headquartered in Sweden, said the handover was on time and on budget and took place at the facilities of its Norwegian partner in the project for the Norwegian armed forces, CHSnor AS.

The CV90 is a tracked vehicle that has been in service with military forces since 1993. Depending on the variant it can carry between six and eight fully equipped soldiers.

Under a 2012 contract BAE Systems Hagglunds is upgrading the Norwegian Army's fleet of 103 CV90s and also supplying 41 new-build vehicles in various configurations.

Five different configurations of the CV90 are being incorporated into the Norwegian Army fleet beginning this year, including 74 infantry fighting variants, 21 reconnaissance variants, 15 command vehicles, and 32 engineering and multi-role and tow driver training vehicles.

"I'm really pleased that we are able to reach this key milestone," said Col. Ragnar Wennevik, Norwegian Army CV90 project leader. "BAE Systems Hägglunds is an impressive supplier, and with the new CV90, we are buying the world's most advanced armored combat vehicle family."