In its last meeting of the current legislative period the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag released EUR 50 million on 29 January 2025 for the start of procurement under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme: a joint project initially involving Finland and Latvia in which Sweden and now Germany have now become full members.
The Bundeswehr intends to procure the Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carrier, which is the basis for CAVS, to replace almost a thousand Fuchs armoured transport vehicles. The modular CAVS vehicles are intended to serve as a standardised platform into which various mission systems can be integrated, which in Germany’s case includes a 120 mm mortar. To date, the CAVS programme has included armoured transport vehicle, command vehicle and heavy armoured transport vehicle variants, with the heavy mortar vehicle now to be developed as a new variant.
Patria’s turreted semi-automatic 120 mm NEMO (NEw MOrtar) system has been selected as the heavy mortar, which can fire both while stationary and on the move. Using the multiple-round/simultaneous-impact (MRSI) method, up to six rounds can be fired in such a way that they hit the target simultaneously. Up to 60 rounds can be carried in the vehicle’s ammunition supply.
The task now is to integrate the mortar into the Patria 6×6 in accordance with the requirements of the Bundeswehr. To this end, a loading concept must be developed to accommodate the German equipment, among other things. With regard to command, control and communications, the weapon system must be integrated into the German ADLER command and weapon deployment system and prepared for the Bundeswehr’s Digitisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) programme. The participation of ESG Elektroniksystem und Logistik is planned for this purpose.
In addition, the German secondary armaments, such as the MG5 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun and a smoke grenade launcher, must be accommodated and a night combat capability must be established. Other key features of the adaptation development are electromagnetic compatibility, documentation for logistics and adherence to German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).
The Bundeswehr intends to procure two prototypes of the heavy mortar vehicle and the prototype of a command vehicle. Delivery of the first mortar vehicle prototype is scheduled for a few months after the contract is signed. The other two prototypes (mortar vehicle and command vehicle) are expected 18 months later. Qualification is to be completed within three years, allowing series production to start from 2026.
The Bundeswehr is planning to procure the heavy mortar Patria 6×6 in three batches as part of the CAVS programme. The first batch of 45 mortar vehicles and 12 command vehicles is scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2029. A financial outlay of EUR 262 million is expected for this, while the other two lots are estimated to cost a total of EUR 332 million.
