A Swedish soldier was run over and killed by a tank during a joint military exercise with UK and US forces.

He was killed in the country's north during joint international 'war games' when he was run over by a battle tank, the Swedish armed forces said today.

The military said a 'serious accident' occurred in the early hours of Monday outside the town of Overkalix.

The soldier, who is from the Jamtland region in Sweden, died in the accident involving a combat vehicle of the CV90 model just before 1am on Monday, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.

A camouflaged tracked carrier next to a snowdrift during the Northern Wind exercise conducted by Swedish Army with allied armies, in the north-east of Sweden last Friday

The gunner on a camouflaged tracked carrier shooting his .50 machine gun during the Northern Wind exercise (file photo)

Emergency services were called but he could not be revived.

According to Swedish media, nine soldiers were involved in the accident, but no other members of the military taking part in the manoeuvres were reported as injured.

'One person is confirmed dead after being hit by a Combat Vehicle 90. No other people injured,' the armed forces said in a statement.

Some 10,000 soldiers from Sweden, Finland, Norway, the US and Britain are taking part in the Northern Wind exercises from March 18 to 27, aimed at training in the cold winter climate.

Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that investigations by the defence forces, the police and the National Accident Investigation Board have been launched.

A Swedish Combat Vehicle 9040A similar to the tank involved in the fatal accident (file photo)

A female tank driver looks out of her vehicle during the Northern Wind exercise last week

He added: 'Our thoughts go to the person who has put their life at risk and to their relatives. It is once again a reminder that the armed forces cannot work with certainty.'

The Northern Wind aims to help Sweden and its neighbours carry out combat situations in winter warfare.

Sweden runs the annual military exercises to boost their capabilities and to conduct joint combat operations.

No personnel from foreign countries are thought to have been present during the fatal accident.