The Finnish Defence Forces purchases more Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles by redeeming the additional purchase option related to the agreement signed in June 2023 when Patria signed an agreement for 91 vehicles with the Finnish Defence Forces Logistic Command. The agreement also included a purchase option up to 70 vehicles of which the Finnish Defence Forces now redeems 40 vehicles. Vehicle deliveries are currently underway. The first tens of vehicles have already been handed over to Pori brigade where the vehicle operation training for conscripts will start in the beginning of 2024. Patria 6×6 offers unprecedented mobility and user comfort in its class. The controls are very clear and simple to use and independent suspension increases user comfort. The steering of the Patria 6×6 is similar to any automatic car, making the use easy to learn.
“The purchase is part of the multinational CAVS (Common Armoured Vehicle System) programme which in addition to Finland includes Latvia, Sweden and Germany. During 2023 deliveries commenced also to Sweden and deliveries to Latvia have been underway since 2021. With close and excellent cooperation between the countries and Patria, the programme has proceeded quickly. The joint programme’s research and development agreement was signed at the end of 2020 and since the deliveries have already taken place in three countries in three years,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Finland Division.
The Patria 6×6 (Patria XA-300) is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier produced by the Finnish defence industry company Patria. Patria 6×6 chassis is based on Patria AMVXP structures and components. The expected service life of the vehicle is more than 30 years. Patria 6×6 is primarily designed for troop transport but can be configured for other roles as well. The basic platform can be tailored to meet varying user requirements by many optional features e.g. swimming system, winch, upgraded armour protection and diverse weapon systems. Available weapons range from machine gun up to 25/30 mm medium calibre direct fire weapon systems and Patria Nemo 120 mm turreted mortar system. The layout has driver and commander in front, engine compartment behind the driver and rear compartment for troop and role specific equipment. A passage in right side allows moving between front and rear compartments.
In early 2020 Finland, Estonia and Latvia agreed a joint development programme for Common Armoured Vehicle Systems (CAVS) based on Patria 6×6. The programme remains open for other nations to join it. As a result of CAVS Programme, Latvia announced an order for over 200 vehicles. It is planned that from 2023 Patria 6×6 for needs of Latvian army will be fully produced in C?sis, Latvia with partial production starting in 2022. First vehicles were delivered in October 2021. Finland followed with a letter of intent to procure 160 vehicles in 2023. The Finnish Defence Forces signed an agreement with Patria to acquire three pre-series vehicles delivered by summer 2022 for test use before the final serial order. In 2022, Sweden and Germany joined the CAVS Programme.
