On March 20, 2024, the Swedish Defence Procurement Agency (FMV) signed a notable contract with the Finnish defense company Patria, as this contract involves the procurement of 321 Patria 6x6 armored vehicles, known in Sweden as Pansarterrängbil 300, representing one of Patria's larger agreements within Sweden. This contract, valued at approximately €470 million, represents one of Patria's larger agreements within Sweden.
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Sweden previously received an initial batch of 20 Patria 6x6 armored vehicles, known locally as Pansarterrängbil 300. (Picture source: Patria)
The Pansarterrängbil 300 vehicles are designated for the Livgardet regiment in Kungsängen, with plans to distribute them among various military units throughout Sweden. This follows Sweden's initial purchase of 20 6x6 vehicles from Patria in April 2023, indicating a growing reliance on Patria's military technology.
Mats Warstedt, the Senior Vice President of Market Area Nordics at Patria, has emphasized the significance of the Swedish market for the company. He highlighted that the new vehicles incorporate significant Swedish technology, particularly in the engine and armor steel, tailored to meet the demands of Nordic operational environments.
The procurement of these vehicles is linked to the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) project, aimed at standardizing armored vehicle practices and technology among member nations, including Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. The Patria 6x6 has been chosen as the platform for this initiative, contributing to the streamlined progress within the collaborative defense framework. Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Finland Division, underscored the rapid advancements in the program, noting deliveries in three different participating nations within three years.
Finland's ongoing commitment to the Patria 6x6 platform is demonstrated by its recent purchase of an additional 40 units in January 2024, bringing their total to 131 vehicles. This reflects a broader regional trend of increased reliance on the Patria 6x6 vehicles, highlighting their perceived effectiveness and adaptability.
The Swedish Pansarterrängbil 300 vehicles are primarily intended for troop transportation but are expected to be adaptable for various roles, including command and control (C2) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). Designed to accommodate up to 12 individuals, the vehicles feature the Patria 6x6's modular design that allows for adjustments based on operational needs.
Powered by an inline-five 394hp diesel engine, the Patria 6x6 exhibits more than acceptable performance characteristics, including a maximum speed exceeding 100 km/h and an operational range exceeding 700 km. Its design also enables maneuverability across challenging terrains, as evidenced by its recognized climbing and trench-crossing capabilities.
Key to the vehicle's design is crew protection, offering a modular system supporting varying levels of ballistic, mine, and IED protection, aligned with STANAG specifications. This modular approach extends to its armament, accommodating a wide array of weapons systems tailored to mission-specific needs, ranging from machine guns to anti-tank guided missiles, but also heavier weapon systems such as Patria's NEMO 120mm mortar system.
Furthermore, the Patria 6x6 can receive various advanced communication systems, enhancing its Communication, Command, Control, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities and ensuring interoperability on the battlefield. Finally, the Patria 6x6’s design allows for a variety of configurations to fulfill different mission requirements, demonstrating its capability to serve multiple roles from an armored personnel carrier to a specialized command vehicle.
