JGSDF receives first Patria AMV XP 8×8 under Japan’s WAPC programme

The first Patria AMV XP 8×8 armoured vehicle under the Japan Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (WAPC) 8×8 programme has been delivered by Japan Steel Works (JWS) to the Japan Self-Ground Defense Forces (JSGDF), the Finnish company announced on 22 September 2025.

The delivery was actually made on 2 September following a hand-over ceremony held at JSW’s Muroran plant in Hokkaido, Japan. Patria was contracted to deliver the local WAPC programme in August 2023, after the AMV XP 8×8 was selected by Japan in December 2022 to replace the JGSDF’s current fleet of Type 96 8×8 armoured personnel carriers (APCs). Since then Patria and JSW have co-operated extensively to implement technology transfer to Japan.

So far the Japanese Ministry of Defense has ordered 82 XP 8×8s for a cost of YPY 561 billion (EUR 3.22 billion), although long-term planning projects a total fleet of up to 810 vehicles, including variants.

“Japan has become already the ninth user nation of Patria AMV vehicles and joined the international AMV community,” Jussi Järvinen, executive vice president for protected mobility systems at Patria, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This significant milestone demonstrates true and close co-operation between Patria, the Japan Self-Ground Defense Forces and Japan Steel Works, with successful results. Discussions are ongoing with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and local industry regarding new opportunities, and Patria is very committed to a long-term strategic cooperation with Japan,” Järvinen added.