Mjölner 120 mm armoured mortar vehicle at DSEI 2019. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
The Netherlands plans to procure CV90 Granatkastarpansarbandvagn (Grkpbv) 90 Mjölner 120 mm armoured mortar vehicles (AMVs), Janes learnt at Defence iQ's Future Mortar Systems (FMS) 2024 conference held in London on 29–30 October. Double-barrelled 120 mm mortar turrets will be installed on 17 CV90 Mk IIIs taken out of storage as the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) rebuilds its mortar capabilities.
The Dutch Grkpbv 90s will be identical to Swedish Mjölners, except for their artillery fire-control systems, which will be the same as those used by RNLA Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 self-propelled howitzers.
The service's three platoons of towed 120 mm mortars were disbanded after the introduction of the PzH 2000. The RNLA's 43rd Mechanised Brigade is equipped with 81 mm mortars, while all other army brigades and the Korps Mariniers (Royal Netherlands Marine Corps) have that calibre as well as 60 mm mortars. The 11th Airmobile Brigade is the only Dutch formation armed with 120 mm mortars.
The Grkpbv 90s will equip the 43rd Mechanised Brigade, with 120 mm mortars carried by Manticore and Caracal 4×4 vehicles arming the 13th Light Brigade and the 11th Airmobile Brigade, respectively.
Designed to provide indirect fire at the battalion level, the Grkpbv 90 has a rate of fire of 10 rds/min and a range of 1–8 km. It has a crew of four and carries 108 mortar rounds. The Monticore's mortar will be hinged, whereas the Caracal airborne vehicle's weapon will be slung. All three vehicles can be prepared to shoot in less than two minutes and then scoot in less than one minute.
For more information on Dutch mortars, please seeNetherlands orders 81 mm mortars .
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