At the DSEI 2025 (Defence & Security Equipment International) defense and security exhibition, held on September 9–12 this year at London’s ExCeL center, the Finnish company Patria Oyj announced that the Ministries of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Norway had declared their participation in the international CAVS (Common Armored Vehicle System) program, which provides for the joint procurement of Patria 6×6 wheeled armored personnel carriers.
Photos: Patria Oyj
“Patria welcomes both the UK and Norway into the CAVS programme, including now already seven member nations. As European security needs to be strengthened, multinational collaboration is increasingly important for interoperability, interchangeability and security of supply among allies.” says Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President, Protected Mobility of Patria continues: “The CAVS programme provides its members a modern, versatile armoured vehicle designed for today’s complex military operations similarly building efficiently shared defence capabilities and significantly decreasing delivery timelines. At the same time, by utilizing the local industry capabilities of member nations, it is possible to provide maintenance security and independent support, maintenance, and repair services in all situations.”
On the same day, in connection with the United Kingdom’s accession to the program, Patria Oyj signed a Teaming Agreement with the British company Babcock International Group. Under this agreement, Patria will handle local production of the vehicles, which will be adapted to the operational requirements of the British Army, and will provide a platform support package to maintain the fleet’s operational readiness throughout its entire life cycle. This is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on January 22 of this year.
“We welcome the UK Ministry of Defence’s decision to join the CAVS programme – with the 6×6 proven to be a highly capable troop carrier which has been backed by multiple armed forces across Europe. We are proud to be working with Patria as their official build partner on the 6×6 – and as a strategic partner of the British Army, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a large fleet of formidable, proven armoured personnel carriers, backed by a comprehensive training and support package,” says Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector.
“As a strategic partner to the British Army, Babcock is an experienced system integrator and platform builder with advanced production capabilities. Their skilled team is currently delivering major projects for the British Army. Our partnership brings clear benefits: the UK needs a proven ready-to-use vehicle platform, and the Patria 6×6, already operational in NATO countries, will be locally built and supported to meet British Army requirements,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Protected Mobility at Patria.
As mentioned, the Patria 6×6 was developed for the international CAVS program, and the Finnish company Patria Oyj has already received orders for nearly 1,000 vehicles and delivered over 200. Deliveries include Finland (161 vehicles ordered, designated XA-300), Sweden (341 ordered, 20 delivered as Pansarterrängbil 300), Latvia (over 256 ordered, with the first already in service), Germany (in January, a project for 300 units was submitted; development of the NEMO 120 mm self-propelled mortar variant was commissioned; and in July, a declaration was made for the potential purchase of up to 3,500 units), and Denmark (129 ordered). Outside the program, Latvia is funding the delivery of 42 vehicles to Ukraine, of which 15 have already been handed over. According to a Patria statement from January 2023, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Japan have also expressed interest in the modular 6×6 armored vehicle. In early September, Lithuania declared its interest in joining the program.
The Patria 6×6 (manufacturer’s designation: Patria XA-300) was designed as the successor to the XA-180/185/200 Pasi 6×6 family and was first presented at the Eurosatory 2018 exhibition in Paris (it was also showcased at MSPO 2019 in Kielce in cooperation with Rosomak, and again at this year’s MSPO). The vehicle is based on a modified chassis of the AMV 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle, featuring a double-wishbone fully independent suspension and a new powertrain. It is equipped with a 400 hp diesel engine delivering a maximum torque of 1,870 Nm and a 7-speed automatic transmission.
The crew consists of three soldiers, while the passenger capacity has been increased to ten. The driver controls two axles (optionally three) and has access to systems such as the SENOP night vision device and a rear-view camera. The operational range exceeds 700 km, and the maximum speed is over 100 km/h. The vehicle can climb slopes with a 60% gradient and traverse side slopes of 30%, overcome obstacles 0.6 m high, cross ditches 1.0 m wide and fords 1.5 m wide, and can optionally be configured for amphibious operations.
