Finnish army will modernize 65 SISU XA-180 6x6 APC armoured.

On December 21, 2017, the Finnish Defence Forces received a mandate from Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö to procure a life cycle upgrade from the Finnish Patria Land Systems Oy. Life cycle upgrades are used to modernise 65 XA-180 6x6 wheeled armoured personnel carriers.

SISU XA-180 6x6 armoured vehicle personnel carrier in Afghanistan. (Picture source Wikipedia )

Modernisation ensures that the performance, condition and technical life cycle of the PASI armoured personnel carriers will extend into the 2030s. Their electric systems will be upgraded, power transmission components will be improved and suspension and external coating will be renewed. Seats with security belts will also be installed in the vehicles.

Life cycle upgrades are scheduled for 2018-2020. The procurement’s total value, including VAT, is about EUR 16 million with a domestic employment effect of 85 man-years.

It is a part of the national defence development programme to improve the mobility of troops; operational troops will be equipped with the modernised vehicles. The Army in particular will be developed during this electoral term because major strategic procurements for the Navy and the Air Force will have to decided on in the 2020s.

The first prototype of the SISU XA-180 was completed in 1982 and in December 1983 the Finnish government placed an initial order for 59 SISU XA-180 armoured personnel carrier. The hull of the XA-180 is of all-welded steel armour construction providing the crew with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. It can carry 11 military personnel including driver, commander, gunner and 8 infantrymen.