Patria will continue life-cycle upgrades of XA-180 6x6 armored for Finnish army.

Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has authorized, on 28 October 2019, the Defence Forces Logistics Command of Finland to procure supplementary life-cycle upgrades from the Finnish Patria Land Oy for XA-180 armored personnel carriers (Pasi) as of the beginning of 2020.

Pasi XA-180/185 armoured personnel carrier from Karelia brigade during the Finnish military Flag Day 2014 parade. (Picture source Wikipedia)

Life-cycle upgrades will be used to modernize 139 XA-180 armored personnel carriers. Modernization ensures that the capability, condition and technical life cycle of the armored personnel carriers will extend into the 2040s. 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.

The employment impact of the operation in Finland is approximately 170 person-years and its total value including VAT is approximately EUR 35 million. The number of person-years is divided as follows: Kanta-Häme region 50%, Pirkanmaa region 40%, and the rest of Finland 10%. While continuing the life-cycle upgrade that started in 2014, the procurement is related to the National Defence Development Programme that aims at developing the mobility of troops. Upgrades are scheduled for 2020–2022.

The XA-180 also known as Patria Pasi is a 6x6 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) originally designed for the Finnish Defence Forces by the Company SISU Auto. In 1980, Sisu produced an XA-180 prototype for Finnish Army tests. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984.

On 22 December 1983, the Finnish Army ordered the first batch of fifty XA-180s, of which nine were used by UN forces.

The XA-180 has a crew of two and can carry 10 military personnel. The vehicle offers ballistic protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The roof of the vehicle has a ring mount weapon station armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun.