Estonian Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Kristjan Prikk has signed a joint technical arrangement agreement with Finland and Latvia, which enables Estonia to continue its participation in the programme to develop military requirements and platform for the potential procurement of armoured vehicles with a common armoured wheeled system. Earlier this year, on 29 January 2020, Finland and Latvia signed a Technical Arrangement on launching a development programme for sustained army mobility enhancement.
Based on national and multinational tests and evaluations, the vehicle chassis platform chosen for the basis of the development in-progress is the Finnish-made Patria 6X6 armoured wheeled vehicle chassis platform which met the set capability requirements. This Finnish Army project programme aims at generating and securing wheeled mobility of the most capable operational forces of the Army capable of operating across the nation well into the 2040s. 100 that need to be replaced in the coming years. First vehicles will come to the end of their lifecycle in 2024.
For Estonia, the development of armoured vehicles platform means the possible replacement of the older generation Pasi armoured vehicles currently used by its Defence Forces. The decision to replace the vehicles is scheduled to be made with the new Estonian National Defence Development Plan.
Within the framework of the agreement, Finland, Latvia and Estonia agreed on common technical requirements for the armoured vehicles platform to be developed and on the development of a vehicle prototype, the first results are planned to be achieved this year.
Patria launched its 6×6 vehicle in Eurosatory event in 2018. Patria 6×6 vehicle combines all the best features of Patria’s XA and AMV vehicles. It is simplified, reliable and designed to fill the highest requirements of customers. Its state-of-the-art terrain mobility is guaranteed by an efficient power unit and the independent suspension familiar from the Patria AMV vehicle. Patria is an international provider of defence, security and aviation life cycle support services, pilot training and technology solutions.
