From the June 2023 framework agreement with Patria for the procurement of Patria 6×6 transport vehicles (ESUTreported), the Finnish armed forces have partially redeemed the agreed option and ordered a tranche of a further 40 vehicles with a procurement volume of 44 million euros. This was announced by the Finnish armed forces and the vehicle manufacturer Patria. In the framework contract, the delivery of 91 armored personnel carriers was firmly ordered at a price of 208 million euros and an option for a further 70 units was agreed.
According to the Armed Forces Logistics Command, the first dozen vehicles have already been handed over to the troops under the name XA-300. In the Pori Brigade, the standby brigade with infantry, artillery and support battalions in southwest Finland, conscripts have been trained in how to use the vehicles since the beginning of the year. This will develop the bicycle mobility of the ground forces by 2060.
“The purchase is part of the multinational CAVS (Common Armored Vehicle System) program, which includes Finland, Latvia, Sweden and Germany. During 2023, deliveries to Sweden also began, and deliveries to Latvia have already been ongoing since 2021,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Finnish division. Thanks to the close and excellent cooperation between the countries and Patria, the program has progressed quickly, continued Järvinen. The research and development agreement for the joint program was signed at the end of 2020. Since then, deliveries have taken place in three countries within three years.
According to the manufacturer, the Patria 6×6 offers mobility and a high level of operating comfort that have never been achieved in its class. The controls are very clear and easy to use. The independent suspension increases driving comfort. Driving the Patria 6×6 is similar to driving an automatic car and makes learning how to operate it easy.
In addition to Finland, Sweden and Latvia have been using the armored transport vehicle since 2023 and 2021, respectively. In these three countries the demand is stated as 4 vehicles. Germany became a CAVS member in April 2023 by signing the Technical Arrangement (Soldat&Technikreported). The purpose of Germany's entry into the program is apparently to examine the extent to which the aging fleet of the Bundeswehr's TPz 1 Fuchs transport tank could be replaced by a vehicle available on the market. There are currently around 900 Fuchs armored transport vehicles in use in the Bundeswehr in around 30 different variants. In addition to the Patria 6×6, a modernized version of the TPz Fuchs from Rheinmetall, the Pandur Evolution and the Eagle V 6×6 from General Dynamics European Land Systems are considered candidates for the Fuchs successor.
After a maturity analysis of the competing vehicles, a decision will soon be made as to whether the Patria 6×6 or another vehicle will be selected to replace the 1 Fuchs transport tank.
The Patria 6×6 In addition to the driver and commander, up to ten equipped soldiers can be transported in the protected interior, depending on the mission equipment. The buoyant vehicle is equipped with camera systems for vehicle guidance and reconnaissance and has a hydraulic ten-ton winch with front and rear pull direction for self-recovery. A weapon station with a heavy machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher can be integrated on the roof as armament.
Gerhard Heiming
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