IDEX 2019: Patria AMV 8x8 showcased with 120mm Leonardo turret.

IDEX 2019 has provided the Finnish company Patria with the opportunity of displaying its 8x8 AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) fitted with a Leonardo turret armed with a 120mm gun, presented by its manufacturer as the currently most modern and lethal wheeld antitank vehicle.

Patria AMV XP with Leonardo turret armed with a 120mm gun (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8x8 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish defense industry company Patria. The vehicle has been in production since 2004. The first prototype was manufactured in 2001. Two years later, the Finnish Defense Forces received the first vehicles whereas year 2004 marked the start up of serial production.

The vehicle is fielded with excellent references from crisis management missions in Afghanistan and Chad by EU/NATO forces. Over 1,300 vehicles in different versions have been purchased by various customers. In January 2008, Patria announced that the United Arab Emirates armed forces had ordered AMVs equipped with the BMP-3 turret. During the European Land Robot Trial (ELROB) event that was held in Belgium from 24 to 28 September 2018, Patria has demonstrated a new unmanned version of a full digitalised AMV.

At IDEX 2019, a new version of the Patria was unveiled, fitted with a Leonardo turret whose main armament is a 120mm L45 high pressure, low recoil, smooth bore gun, firing all standard NATO shells according to STANAG 4385. 12 shells are ready for loading in the turret which is normally operated by a three-man crew but optionally by a two-man crew and automatic loader system.

The survivability relies on the turret frame of ballistic aluminum alloy with spall liner and add-on armor, a laser warning system and an enhanced safety against mines and IEDs.