Finland and Latvia proceed with R&D for common 6x6 vehicle
First deliveries could begin in 2021 if all goes to plan
The governments of Finland and Latvia signed a product development agreement with Finnish manufacturer Patria on 15 October, to pursue R&D of a common armoured vehicle based on the Patria 6x6 wheeled chassis.
Finland is leading the initiative. The agreement is worth about €7.3 million ($8.6 million) and followed a letter of intent signed by Finland and Latvia in January 2020.
‘The agreement makes it possible to build a comprehensive approach to develop common maintenance, logistics, training solutions or product development packages,’ the Finnish MoD noted in a statement.
Estonia joined the programme in April although it is not included in the latest R&D agreement.
Patria will manufacture a prototype multifunctional 6x6 platform to operate as an APC or C2 vehicle. Other vehicle variants may be developed at a later stage.
The product R&D phase is scheduled to end in late 2021. Afterwards the partner countries are expected to begin negotiations on potential procurement, although initial deliveries of the new 6x6 vehicles could be carried out in 2021.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the acquisition schedule, number of vehicles ordered and variants developed will depend upon each individual country, while cost will be determined by the total volume of units ordered across all prospective users.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?]()
Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
-
![Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability]()
Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability
The proposed $920 million deal would provide Sweden with a step up from its existing tube artillery and align the country with other northern European nations that have selected the HIMARS platform.
-
![Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers]()
Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
-
![UAE’s first combat use of M-SAM II could raise export prospects for South Korean air defence]()
UAE’s first combat use of M-SAM II could raise export prospects for South Korean air defence
Reported to provide a high percentage of precision in its engagements, the South Korean air defence system has been receiving growing international interest since it was deployed by the UAE to defeat Iranian missiles.
