Patria Nemo 120 mm Mortar System

Patria Nemo is a turreted, remote-controlled 120 mm mortar system for the needs of modern warfare and crisis management, which call for mobility, protection and accuracy currently being developed by Patria Land Oy in Finland. It is an indirect fire support system, but due to its direct fire capability, it can also be used for self-defence. It is a lighter version of the AMOS mortar system, which has been in use within the Finnish Defence Forces since 2013. The light and compact turret is easily installable on light, tracked chassis or wheeled armoured vehicles in the 6×6/8×8 class or and also to nacal boats. Recently, Patria is offering the NEMO system fitted into standardised 20-ft-containers to increase flexibility: the mortar container can be lifted with and fired from a truck or a boat or can be set on the ground, e.g. as base defense.

The 120 mm mortar barrel used in NEMO is basically identical to that installed in the twin AMOS. This vehicle provides direct and indirect fire support. Firing range is about 10 km depending on the projectile and charge combination. The NEMO fires HE-FRAG, smoke, illumination and cargo rounds. It is also compatible with all standard 120 mm mines. Patria currently develops new precision guided mortar munitions. Maximum rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute. The system is also capable of six-round simultaneous impact firing. Sustained rate of fire is 7 rounds per minute. The NEMO is ready to fire in less than 30 seconds and can leave firing position in less than 10 seconds. Patria Nemo can also fire Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) fire missions where up to 6 grenades hit the target simultaneously.

The 120 mm Nemo was developed as a private venture. The first customer of the weapon system was the Slovenian Army, which received 12 units installed on a General Dynamics Land Systems Canada Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) 8×8. The United Arab Emirates Naval Forces bought 12 patrol boats, where some were to be equipped with NEMO mortars. The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) bought 36 turrets to equip its LAV II vehicles. In 2018, Patria Nemo has conducted a firepower demonstration in the United States. These trials were done at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and Fort Benning, Georgia, and included indirect and direct target engagements as well as Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) fire missions. The NEMO can be fitted to smaller landing craft, such as the Finnish Jurmo-class landing craft or the Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft.

Patria Nemo features modular design and therefore it guarantees maximum flexibility and capability for further upgrades for diverse requirements to meet the specific needs of modern warfare and threats in changing environment. Patria Nemo can be used for self-defence and various indirect fire missions. Impressive fire support and rapid response with high crew protection – all in one. Brief redeployment time allows to avoid counter-battery fire and allows to use shoot and scoot tactics. Fire control system of the NEMO offers high fire accuracy. A typical crew of NEMO consists of commander, gunner and two loaders. The fire control system provides fire support plans and fire missions, which are transmitted via tactical data network to the command and control systems.