The Finnish Defence Forces purchases heavy Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles from Patria within the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. Today, the ceremony was held for signing the agreement related to the previously announced decision of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command for the serial procurement of heavy armored personnel carrier 6×6 vehicles from Patria. The first phase of the acquisition will include one pre-series vehicle and 20 Kongsberg remote weapon stations, which will be integrated into the vehicles. The acquisition also includes an option for additional purchases of 18 vehicles. In April 2024,the Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to start a serial procurement of vehicles from Patria.
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. Patria 6×6 was launched at Eurosatory 2018 exhibition in June 2018.
Robust and fully independent suspension, together with high performance drive line, ensures unforeseen mobility and crew comfort in the 6×6 category. Patria 6×6 carries up to 10 soldiers in the rear plus a crew of two (driver and commander) in the front cabin; all their equipment being hosted inside the protected hull, and equipment being based on a 72-hour mission requirement. The vehicle has mobility optimised continuous all-wheel drive and steering by front two axles. Amphibious capability for water crossing and amphibious landing operations is available as an option. 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 Cesis, 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 FDF 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.
