The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) are exercising an additional purchase option to buy more Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), the company announced on 23 September 2024.
In the summer of 2023 Patria and the FDF Logistics Command signed an agreement for 91 Patria 6×6 APCs with equipment. The procurement agreement included an additional purchase option for 70 vehicles, of which the FDF previously redeemed 41 at the turn of 2023–2024 and are now buying an additional 29 vehicles. The ordered vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2025.
The Patria 6×6 APC is the subject of the international Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, which was established by Finland, Estonia and Latvia in 2020 and joined by Sweden in 2022 and Germany in 2023.
“Redemption of the entire domestic additional purchase option is remarkable for Patria and the whole international CAVS joint programme,” Jussi Järvinen, head of Patria’s operations in Finland, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The programme has progressed rapidly thanks to excellent co-operation between Patria and the participating countries. The joint programme between nations enables cost-effective vehicle development and lifecycle support, quick procurements and equipment compatibility, strengthening defence co-operation in Europe.”
The research and development agreement for the CAVS programme was signed at the end of 2020, with deliveries to three countries starting within three years.
