It is expected that this Finnish armored personnel carrier will replace other combat vehicles in European armies.
The Patria 6×6 armored personnel carrier is a more than interesting mass armored personnel carrier from Finland, which combines a number of key advantages. Its production unites Europe. This is reported by DEFENSE EXPRESS.
Patria 6×6 APC commercial
Latvia is already assembling the first batch of Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers for Ukraine, the transfer of which was announced on September 11, 2024, when the head of the Latvian government Evika Silini arrived in Kyiv.
This became known from the message of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoly Kutsevol, who visited the plant in the city of Valmiera.
The number of Patria 6×6, from the Finnish company of the same name, for Ukraine, which, together with other weapons, were included in the aid package totaling 40 million euros, as well as the timing of their transfer — were not announced.
At the same time, for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, obtaining additional armored vehicles in the form of Patria 6×6 makes a little more sense than strengthening with the next APCs. This Finnish APC has every chance of becoming a pan-European vehicle. And it's not just about the current Common Armoured Vehicle System program under the auspices of the EU's joint arms procurement (EDIRPA) for this particular vehicle.
The Patria 6×6 APC is already in service with Finland, Sweden and Latvia, and a large-scale contract is also being prepared with Germany, where the Patria 6×6 will replace the Fuchs armored personnel carriers. And the next in line to purchase Finnish APCs is Great Britain. Also, the Finns' customers are Poland, Croatia and Slovenia, who are interested in the Patria AMV armored modular vehicle — a multi-purpose military vehicle that allows the installation of various turrets, weapons, sensors, or communications systems on the same 8×8 chassis.
Journalists note that the opportunity to test the Patria 6×6 in real combat is very important from the point of view of forming one's own assessment and comparing it with other models. Because the Armed Forces of Ukraine will also need such a vehicle and in appropriate quantities. They recall that talks about the possibility of producing Patria armored vehicles in Ukraine began in 2023.
The Finnish company Patria is known for its deep localization: in Valmiera, Latvia, a new enterprise of the “Defense Partnership of Latvia” was created to produce armored vehicles, which took three years, given the lack of experience of the Latvian defense industry in the production of armored vehicles in general. The planned production rate is up to 160 vehicles per year. And in Germany and the UK, a strategy of unification with local defense companies – Babcock and DSL with FFG, respectively.
In early 2020, Finland, Estonia and Latvia agreed on a joint program to develop joint armored vehicle systems (CAVS) based on the Patria 6×6. The program remains open for other countries to join. As a result of the CAVS program, Latvia announced an order for over 200 vehicles. The first APCs were delivered in October 2021.
What is known about the Patria 6×6 APC
Patria 6×6 – is an amphibious APC with a maximum weight of up to 24 tons, of which up to 8.5 tons is combat load. The landing compartment can accommodate 10 people, the crew — 2 people.
The Patria 6×6 is primarily designed for troop transport, but can be configured for other roles. The basic platform can be adapted to the user's various requirements with many additional options, such as a floating system, winch, improved armor protection and various weapon systems. Available armament — from a machine gun to 25/30 mm medium-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and the Patria Nemo 120 mm turret mortar system.
The Patria 6×6 chassis is based on the Patria AMVXP structures and components. The vehicle's expected service life — over 30 years.
Although the Patria 6×6 is not a unique development in terms of its characteristics, it is attractive in price. For example, contracts for Latvia from 2021 and 2024, as well as last year's order from Sweden at the level of 1-1.2 million euros per unit. For comparison – this is the price of armored vehicles with a 4×4 wheel formula – the French Serval and the Australian Bushmaster PMV.