Patria from Finland offers AMV 8x8 armored for Bulgarian army.

According to the website Novinite.com, the Finnish Company Patria could take part in the modernization of the Bulgarian Army by participating in the procedure for the acquisition of new armored vehicles for the Bulgarian Land Forces with its AMV 8x8 armoured vehicle. Bulgaria plans to buy 198 wheeled armoured vehicles as part of a program to modernize its armed forces.

Finnish-made Patria AMV 8x8 armoured modular vehicle at MSPO Defense Exhibition in Poland.

The president of Patria Land System Mika Kari and the vice president of Patria Land System Markku Koivisto presented to the members of the Bulgarian parliamentary defense committee, the Patria AMV, an 8x8 armoured modular vehicle which is already in service with other armies in the world as Poland, Slovenia, Croatia and South Africa.

The Finnish Company Patria has also offer the possibility to produce the AMV 8x8 armoured vehicle in Bulgaria by transfer technology.

The Company Patria has presented the key success elements of a technology transfer program – evaluation, detailed planning, building up factory facilities, support of the implementation and product deliveries, as well as support in the fielding phase.

Patria is one of the Defense Company that received a Request for Information (RFI) from the government at the end of 2016 to present proposals for a new armored vehicle for the Bulgarian Army. The other companies who are be involved to the supply of new wheeled armoured vehicles to the Bulgarian army, as Rheinmetall Defence from Germany with the Boxer, French Company Nexter with its VBCI and Titus, U.S.-based Textron Inc and Swiss firm Mowag, which is part of General Dynamics' European Land Systems Group with the Piranha.

The members of the Bulgarian parliamentary defense committee were interested in the specific local technology transfer offered by Patria. It could be an opportunity for Bulgaria to boost its local defense industry with investments but also the possibility for export of modern military equipment.

The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8x8 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish defense industry company Patria. Patria AMV offers the latest technology and highest payload capacity enabling the simultaneous integration of high protection level and heavy weapon system without compromising the mobility of the vehicle. Patria AMV, Armoured Modular Vehicle, has been on the serial production since 2004.

The hull of the Patria AMV is of all-welded steel construction that provides the crew and infantryman protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle can be fitted with an additional passive armour to increase level of protection.

The high payload of the Patria AMV allows the use of various types of weapon systems that can be integrated on the vehicle, from 7.62 mm to 105 mm turret systems or 120 mm AMOS / Patria Nemo mortar system.