During the early 1930s, Swedish interest in armoured warfare increased after many years of limited investment. This shift culminated in the 1936 defence decision, where funds were finally allocated for the acquisition of modern tanks. Given the tight budget and the urgent need to build up capability quickly, Sweden focused on light, fast-moving tanks that could operate independently of rail transport and perform well in Nordic terrain.
As part of this effort, several foreign and domestic designs were evaluated. After trials, studies, and a European investigation tour, attention turned to Czechoslovakia and the firm Českomoravská-Kolben-Daněk (CKD). Their AH-IV light tank, already proven in foreign service, was considered robust, reliable, and suitable for rapid delivery. In July 1937, Sweden signed a contract with CKD to procure 48 machine-gun-armed tanks.
To meet Swedish requirements, the design was modified before production. The hull was lengthened, armour thickness slightly increased, and a Swedish-built Volvo petrol engine replaced the original powerplant. Armament consisted of two 8 mm Swedish-made m/36 tank machine guns. While CKD supplied two complete vehicles as prototypes, the remaining 46 tanks were shipped in parts and assembled at Jungner’s shipyard in Oskarshamn with assistance from Czech specialists. The finished vehicle was designated Stridsvagn m/37 in Swedish service.
Deliveries were completed in early 1939, later than originally planned. The Strv m/37 featured riveted armour, a well-designed transmission, and good suspension, giving it comparatively high speed and strong off-road performance for its class. Although lightly armed and cramped, it proved mechanically reliable and easy to drive.
Operational service began with the Göta Life Guards (I 2) in Stockholm. In 1939, the tanks were reassigned to infantry regiments in Skövde (I 9) and Strängnäs (I 10). When the Swedish Armoured Troops were formally established during the Second World War, all Strv m/37 tanks were transferred in 1943 to the Göta Armoured Life Guards company on Gotland (P 1 G). There they primarily served in reconnaissance and infantry support roles, particularly for coastal defence.
The Stridsvagn m/37 remained in service until 1953, when it was finally removed from Sweden’s wartime organisation. Several examples have survived and are preserved today in Swedish military museums, where they represent an important step in the development of Sweden’s armoured forces.
Specifications:
- Primary Armament: x2: “ksp m/36 strv” Chambered in: 8 × 63 mm
– Ammunition:
– 8mm pprj m/39 (AP Tungsten core) (20mm pen)
– 8mm Brandprj m/41 (Incendiary)
- Dimensions & Weight
– Weight: 4.5 tonnes
– Length: 3.40 m
– Width: 1.85 m
– Height: 1.95 m
- Protection
– Armour type: Riveted steel armour
– Armour thickness: 6–15 mm
- Crew
– Crew size: 2 (commander/gunner and driver)
- Mobility
– Maximum road speed: 60 km/h
– Trench crossing capability: 1.6 m
– Obstacle climbing: 0.6 m
– Fording depth: 0.9 m
– Gradient climbing ability: 45°
– Side slope capability: 45°
- Engine
– Engine type: Volvo FC-CKD petrol engine
– Power output: 85 hp
– Transmission: Mechanical transmission with preselector gearbox
Camoflages:
Dark Grey:
Grey/Brown
Summer:
Forrest:
Current In-game Camo:
How would it be implimented into War thunder?
The Strv m/37 Has good mobility, Decent armour to resist Rifle calibre weapons And is small, And it has two “Ksp m/36 Strv” That can be equipped with AP rounds that can punch through 20mm of armour, So a good implimentation would be as either a new Reserve tank for sweden before some of the swedish tanks as this was historically the first mass produced tank in sweden and later lead to the Strv m/41 to be ordered, or it can be placed before the Pvlvv m/42 as a SPAA/Light Tank
- Yes
- No
- Yes, Put it before the Strv m/31
- Yes, Put it before the Strv m/38
- No, Put it before the Pvlvv fm/42
- I do not care
- I said no.
Sources:
1960 Ammuntitons register
The Swedish Ammuntion Site
The Swedish Military Ammunition Site
The Swedish Military Ammunition Site
