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After approval by the Government of the Slovak Republic, Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď has been instructed to conclude a contract with the Finnish Government for the supply of 76 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles of the Armored Modular Vehicle AMV XP type. According to a statement from the Slovakian Ministry of Defense, the vehicles for the 8×8 BOV (Bojovými Obrnenými Vozidlami) program will be delivered by Patria. The contract has a value of 447 million euros and, in addition to the vehicles, includes services for logistics, ammunition and infrastructure. Delivery of the vehicles is scheduled to begin in 2023.

Ende 2021 hatten fünf Unternehmen ein Angebot abgeben und im Februar diesen Jahres Fahrzeuge für Erprobungen bereitgestellt. Aus den Angeboten der Regierungen von Finnland (AMV XP, Patria), Spanien (VCR 8×8 Dragón, GDELS), der Tschechische Republik (Pandur II, Tatra), der USA (Stryker LAV III, GDLS) und Rumänien (Piranha V, GDELS) wurde das der finnischen Regierung ausgewählt. Neben der technischen Bewertung und den Lebenszykluskosten schlug die Beteiligung der lokalen Wirtschaft mit 25 Prozent zu Buche, wie das Ministerium schreibt.

The AMV XP is the latest version of the protected 8×8 wheeled vehicle mass-produced by Patria since 2004. With a total weight of up to 32 tonnes, a maximum of 15 tonnes is available for payload. The basic protection can be increased modularly up to level 5 according to STANAG 4569. Patria uses a 480 kW diesel engine from Scania in conjunction with an automatic transmission. The individually suspended wheels have emergency running properties and can be adjusted to the terrain using a central tire pressure control. The hydraulically assisted steering acts on the 1st, 2nd and 4th axles.

The remotely controlled Turra-30 turret from the Slovakian company EVPU was chosen for armament. The main weapon is a 30mm machine cannon, which is complemented by a 7.62 machine gun and guided anti-tank missiles. This makes the tower also suitable for defending low-flying targets at distances of up to 2,500 m.

According to Defense Minister Naď, the new vehicles will replace armored personnel carriers that are at the end of their technical service life. The new combat vehicles are also the basis for fulfilling Allied obligations to create a heavy mechanized brigade.

Editorial staff / gwh

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