Japan conducts field tests with Finnish Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicle.

According to information published by the trafficnews.jp website on December 15, 2021, in December 2021, Japan Ground Forces have conducted field tests with the Finnish-made AMV XP designed and manufactured by the company Patria
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Japan Ground Forces have conducted field trial tests with the Finnish Patria AMX XP. (Picture source trafficnews.jp)

Japan is in the process to replace its old Type 96 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle personnel carrier which is in service with the Japanese armed forces since 1996. The vehicle is produced by the Japanese company Defense Systems Division of Komatsu. In the Japanese army, the Type 96 is used as an armored personnel carrier vehicle for infantry units.

In September 2019, it was announced that Japan shortlisted three potential suppliers to acquire a new wheeled armored vehicle. On September 10, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has published the three candidates including General Dynamics Land Systems LAV 6.0, the AMV XP by Finland’s Patria and a local-made armored vehicle from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

In December 2020, Finnish company Patria had sent AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicle from Finland to Japan for test purposes. These vehicles were part of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s project called the Next Wheeled Armored Vehicle operating under the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The vehicles were handed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

Patria is selected as one of the competitors for the new 8x8 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carriers (WAPCs) project of the Japanese Ground Forces. The project had progressed to the test phase after which the Japanese Ministry of Defense will evaluate the vehicles.

The AMV XP is a new variant in the family of 8x8 AMV (Armored Multirole Vehicle) designed and manufactured by the Finish defense company Patria. The concept of the new AMV XP was unveiled by Patria in 2013 during the defense exhibition in the United Kingdom, DSEI.

The AMV XP from Patria is an improved version of the standard AMV featuring a new modular design, mobility, firepower capabilities, protection as well as stealth technology, and low radar and thermal signatures.

In APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) configuration, the vehicle has a crew of two and can accommodate up to 10 soldiers in a troops compartment located at the rear of the vehicle hull. The vehicle provides a high level of protection and can withstand 30 mm armor-piercing rounds at the front. It also offers all-around protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. For mine protection, the AMV XP is able to withstand blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT under any wheels or anywhere under the body.

The AMV XP can be fitted with a wide range of weapon systems including remotely controlled or turret-mounted weapon stations. The vehicle can be armed with a machine gun up to 12.7mm caliber, 30mm automatic cannon or with 120mm cannon to be used as a fire support vehicle;

The AMV XP is motorized with a Scania DC13 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 603 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a cruising range from 600 to 1,000 km. The vehicle is also fully amphibious and powered in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h thanks to two waterjets mounted at the rear of the hull.