Sweden Order $62 Million of BONUS Precision Ammunition from BAE Systems

In a major step to strengthen its indirect fire capabilities, the Swedish Armed Forces have signed a $62 million (SEK 600 million) contract with BAE Systems Bofors for the supply of BONUS 155mm precision artillery ammunition. This marks the third such order from Sweden since 2017, highlighting a strong and ongoing partnership focused on enhancing the effectiveness of Sweden’s artillery forces.

BONUS—short for BOfors Nutating Shell—is a high-precision, sensor-fuzed artillery shell designed to strike armored targets at long ranges. Developed in collaboration between BAE Systems Bofors and France's Nexter Systems, BONUS stands out for its “fire-and-forget” capability and is already in service with several countries including France, Finland, Norway, the United States, and Sweden itself.

Each BONUS shell contains two submunitions that are equipped with advanced infrared sensors and target-recognition algorithms. Once the shell is fired, these submunitions are released over the target area and independently search for enemy vehicles such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled guns, and armored personnel carriers. When a target is identified, the submunition directs a precisely aimed projectile to destroy it from above, where most armored vehicles are most vulnerable.

BONUS can cover an area up to 32,000 square meters in a single shot, providing significant battlefield impact with minimal ammunition usage. When fired from NATO-standard L52 howitzers—such as those used in the ARCHER self-propelled artillery system—the BONUS shell can reach targets up to 35 kilometers away. This combination of range and accuracy makes it an ideal choice for modern artillery operations.

Henrik Knape, Ammunition Sales Director at BAE Systems Bofors, expressed pride in the continued trust placed in the company’s technology by Sweden. “This contract for additional BONUS projectiles reinforces our long-standing partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces,” he said. “We are committed to delivering a trusted solution that strengthens their indirect fire capability and keeps their warfighters safe.”

The precision and versatility of BONUS ammunition align perfectly with Sweden’s growing investment in advanced defense technologies. By equipping its forces with such high-end systems, Sweden not only enhances its own national security but also strengthens its position as a key contributor to regional and NATO-aligned defense strategies.