Slovakia receives first BOV 8x8 IFV based on Finland's Patria AMV XP.

As reported by Praise The Steph on July 24, 2024, President Peter Pellegrini visited the Ministry of Defense in Bratislava, highlighting the critical need for significant financial investments in the nation's defense capabilities. Accompanied by Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák and Chief of the General Staff Zmek, Pellegrini inspected the first Slovak BOV 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) based on the Finnish Patria AMV XP. Notably, this visit comes shortly after Slovakia received its first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, enhancing its air defense capabilities.
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The BOV 8x8 fleet will include 60 combat versions, 10 medical variants, and 6 command versions. (Picture source: Twitter/Praise The Steph)

President Pellegrini emphasized the importance of Slovakia being able to protect itself, referencing Article 3 of the Treaty on the North Atlantic Alliance, which requires member states to be prepared to defend themselves until allied support arrives. He expressed support for ongoing modernization projects within the military, noting that while the costs of weapon systems are high, these investments are crucial for ensuring the country's defense capabilities. He also mentioned that a record number of new personnel would join the armed forces this year, stressing the military's role in both national security and assistance in natural disasters.

Defense Minister Kaliňák appreciated the President's interest in the defense department and reiterated the need for renewing the armed forces and modernizing military infrastructure. He mentioned that Slovakia's support for the new NATO Secretary General was conditional on initiating a rotation mechanism for airspace defense. The outcome of negotiations for a new air defense system is expected to be announced soon.

During the visit, various armored vehicles and tanks were showcased, including the first Slovak BOV IFV, also known as the Patria AMV XP 8x8, equipped with a Turra-30 turret armed with a local GTS-30/N autocannon in 30x173mm. The Turra-30, designed by the Slovak company EVPÚ, is a remote-controlled turret intended for integration with wheeled or tracked armored combat vehicles. It features extensive armament capabilities, including a 30 mm automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm machine gun, anti-tank guided missiles, and smoke grenade launchers.

The Turra-30, designed by the Slovak company EVPÚ, is a remote-controlled turret intended for integration with various wheeled or tracked armored combat vehicles. (Picture source: EVPÚ)

The turret can also be equipped with an active protection system and has been designed to protect the vehicle crew by locating ammunition and operators outside the turret compartment. One of the recent advancements in the Turra-30 series is the Turra 30-SA variant, which incorporates an optical threat locator, radar, and a gunfire detection system, and is capable of firing programmable airburst munitions, enhancing its effectiveness against UAVs.

The GTS-30/N, a modern Slovak 30 mm automatic cannon developed by ZTS-Special, a subsidiary of the state-owned DMD Group, is used as the main armament of the BOV 8x8 IFV. Based on the Shipunov 2A42, the GTS-30/N uses NATO-standard 30x173mm ammunition, which includes Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer (APFSDS-T) rounds. This compatibility ensures it can engage a wide range of targets effectively, including light armored vehicles, unarmored targets, and low-flying subsonic aircraft.

The cannon is capable of engaging lightly armored targets up to 1,500 meters, unarmored targets up to 4,000 meters, and low-flying subsonic air targets up to 2,000 meters within a slant range of 2,500 meters, in single shots or bursts with both low and high rates of fire. The GTS-30/N features a new muzzle brake design that improves its firing accuracy by reducing lateral dispersion and allows the cannon to fire a variety of ammunition types. The cannon entered serial production in July 2023 as part of Slovakia's new armored personnel carriers program.

The GTS-30/N cannon is capable of engaging lightly armored targets up to 1,500 meters, unarmored targets up to 4,000 meters, and low-flying subsonic air targets up to 2,000 meters within a slant range of 2,500 meters. (Picture source: DMD Group)

An intergovernmental agreement signed in August 2022 outlines the procurement by Finland to Slovakia of 76 Patria AMV XP vehicles for €447 million, with deliveries scheduled through 2027. The fleet will include 60 combat versions, 10 medical variants, and 6 command versions. The Patria AMV XP is an upgraded version of the original Patria AMV, first introduced in 2013. These enhanced vehicles come equipped with advanced features, including a NATO-standard cannon, communication and information systems, command and control systems, IED jammers, improved swimming capabilities, 5th-generation electrical circuits, and digital instruments.

The updated model offers improved payload capacity, mobility, and protection capabilities while retaining the original layout. It accommodates a crew of two and can transport up to 10 infantry personnel. Additionally, it can be fitted with various turret types, including remotely operated weapon stations, and can be armed with a 120mm cannon, medium-caliber weapon systems, the Patria Nemo 120 mm mortar system, as well as anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile systems.

The Vydra 8x8 APC, a Slovak variant of the Finnish Patria AMV XP 8x8, is another important component of this program. Delivered in September 2023, the first Vydra, configured for medical evacuation, was completed by the Slovak company Konstrukta Defence. This state-owned company specializes in developing land and air defense systems, ammunition, command and control systems, and electronic systems. Their latest project focuses on modernizing Slovakia’s fleet of 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

Slovakia's defense modernization includes a strong emphasis on local industry involvement, targeting 40% local content, which has already been exceeded, benefiting over 40 Slovak defense companies. Initially, eight Patria AMV XPs will be manufactured in Finland, with the remaining units produced in Slovakia. This initiative aims to enhance local engineering capabilities and provide educational and employment opportunities within the defense sector.

The Patria AMV XP can be fitted with various turret types, including remotely operated weapon stations, and can be armed with a 120 mm cannon, medium-caliber weapon systems, mortar systems, as well as anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile systems. (Picture source: AH)