Common APC programme continues with demonstrations in Latvia
Patria 6x6 APC. (Photo: Patria)
Estonian-Finnish-Latvian joint development and procurement of a 6x6 APC is in the research and development phase.
Latvia hosted a demonstration tour in May of the Patria 6x6 armoured personnel carrier (APC) it is developing with Finland and Estonia.
More than 100 personnel from the Latvian Armed Forces had the opportunity to test the mobility, features, and capability of the vehicle under realistic operational conditions, Patria claimed on 31 May.
‘The vehicle has been proven to be very suitable for this joint programme,’ said Jussi Järvinen, president of the land business unit in Patria.
He added: 'The programme is open to other countries with the mutual consent of the participating countries. In general, this common vehicle system will improve the mobility, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, and security of supply of armies in the participating countries.'
The joint programme remains in the R&D phase. The vehicle has undergone various capability tests, including in ‘challenging winter conditions’ in Lapland and Latvia, Patria noted.
In October 2020, Finland and Latvia signed a product development agreement with Patria, worth about €7.3 million (US$8.6 million), for R&D of a common armoured vehicle based on the Patria 6x6 armoured vehicle platform.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that while work under the product development agreement will continue until the end of 2021, the Finnish MoD has stated that initial deliveries could take place by then.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise]()
MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise
The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation]()
Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
-
![Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells]()
Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells
Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
-
![Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars]()
Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
