Strv

Strv is the designation prefix used by the Swedish Armed Forces for its armored fighting vehicles. The prefix comes from Stridsvagn, the Swedish word for tank, and is applied to certain Swedish-designed tanks as well as licensed or imported designs that were given Swedish Stridsvagn designations. In practice, Strv designations identify a vehicle as part of Sweden’s armored lineage and distinguish it from contemporary foreign designs.

The Strv naming system has been in use since the mid-20th century as Sweden developed and modernized its armored forces. Designations typically combine the prefix Strv with a model number, sometimes alongside other markings such as “m/” for modell, to denote specific variants. The system has served to organize and reference Sweden’s historical and technical documentation of its tanks and related vehicles.

Among the best-known examples are Stridsvagn 74, a post–World War II medium tank produced in the 1950s, and Stridsvagn 103, a turretless design introduced in the 1950s that became iconic for its unconventional approach. These examples illustrate the range and evolution of Sweden’s armored force under the Strv designation, from conventional turreted designs to innovative concepts.

Today the Strv prefix remains a recognizable element in Swedish military nomenclature, particularly in historical and technical contexts. While modern Sweden’s active inventory includes contemporary international designs, the Strv designation continues to appear in archival materials, museums, and literature describing Sweden’s armored heritage.