Patria 6×6 armoured wheeled vehicle is a new all-wheel-drive combat vehicle developed by Finnish defence company Patria. It is a successor to the Patria XA-series 6×6 Pasi armoured personnel carrier, which was introduced in the 1980s.
The Patria 6×6 combat vehicle was launched at the Eurosatory 2018 International Defence and Security Exhibition held in June 2018. The Patria 6×6 fitted with the Nemo mortar system was also displayed at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition held in London in October 2019.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The modular and robust vehicle provides tactical troop transportation capability, advanced protection and extreme mobility. It can be used for multiple missions, including peacekeeping.
In February 2024, Patria, DSL Defence Service Logistics (DSL) and FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) agreed to jointly provide design, production, and sustainment of Patria 6×6 variants to Germany.
The Patria 6×6 vehicles may replace the Fuchs armoured vehicle fleet if Germany decides to procure the vehicles. Patria will serve as the main contractor leading the design and development, while DSL and FFG will deliver engineering, production and lifecycle support in Germany.
Development of the joint vehicle based on Patria 6×6
The vehicle was demonstrated to the Latvian armed forces during a demonstration tour in Latvia in May 2021. The armed forces tested the capability and mobility of the vehicle in real-world conditions during the demonstration.
The demonstration was held as part of the joint 6×6 vehicle development programme between Finland and Latvia. The Patria 6×6 was selected as the base vehicle platform for the new joint vehicle.
Finland and Latvia partnered to jointly work on the development of a common armoured wheeled vehicle system (CAVS). Estonia joined the programme in April 2020.
Finland, Latvia, and Patria signed a framework agreement for the production and supply of the joint 6×6 armoured vehicle system in August 2021. The agreement covers the production phase management of the vehicle.
Sweden and Germany joined the CAVS programme in April 2023.
Patria 6×6 armoured wheeled vehicle design and features
The Patria 6×6 armoured vehicle features a truck-like chassis structure and retains components of its predecessor Patria armoured modular vehicle. The NATO-compatible vehicle can be customised.
It has a length of 7.5m, a height over hull of 2.5m and a width of 2.9m. The maximum combat weight and payload capacities of the vehicle are 24t and 8.5t respectively.
The Patria 6×6 vehicle can accommodate up to 12 crew members and up to 10 combat troops. The crew are seated in the front section of the hull, while the troop seats are positioned in the fully enclosed troop compartment at the rear.
The vehicle is outfitted with high-performance LED-light technology. The vehicle is primarily designed for troop transport. It can also be configured to meet other combat support requirements. The expected service life of the vehicle is more than 30 years.
Armament
The Patria 6×6 combat vehicle can be armed with a variety of weapon systems including a 7.62mm machine gun, 105mm/120mm cannon and a 120mm Patria Nemo turreted, single-barrelled, remote-controlled mortar system.
The 7.62mm machine gun is pintle-mounted on the roof of the troop compartment to engage armoured vehicles and low-flying air targets, while the 105mm/120mm cannon is effective against light armoured targets.
The Nemo mortar system has both direct and indirect fire capabilities and provides a high rate of fire against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) threats up to 10km. The mortar’s maximum rate of fire is ten rounds a minute.
The vehicle can be optionally armed with a 0.50 M2 HB heavy machine gun installed on a roof-mounted protected weapon station.
Self-protection capabilities of Patria 6×6
The modular ballistic protection system of the Patria 6×6 vehicle offers STANAG level 2 standard ballistic protection for the occupants. The vehicle can be integrated with STANAG level 4 threat level protection kit for protection against heavy machine gun fire.
The armoured chassis of the vehicle also offers blast protection against mines and IEDs up to 10kg of TNT.
Engine and mobility
The Patria 6×6 armoured wheeled vehicle is powered by a five-cylinder, inline, turbocharged diesel engine, which develops a power output of 294kW and a torque of 1,870Nm. The engine is coupled to an automatic transmission system with seven forward and two reverse gears.
The vehicle is equipped with a fully independent double wishbone suspension system, as well as coil spring suspension with optional hydropneumatic hydrostrut shock absorbers.
The driveline components include pneumatically controlled compressed-air hydraulic disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system.
Driven by all three axles, the vehicle uses hydraulically assisted mechanical steering. It can be optionally equipped with a central tyre inflation system.
Performance of Patria 6×6 armoured vehicle
The power plant provides a maximum road speed of approximately 100km/h and a maximum range of 700km.
The Patria 6×6 armoured wheeled vehicle can address side slopes of 30% and gradient of 60%. It can negotiate obstacles of 0.6m and trenches of 1m and can ford a maximum depth of 1.5m. The vehicle can be optionally equipped with amphibious capability.
Orders and deliveries
Latvia awarded a contract to Patria for the supply of more than 200 6×6 armoured personnel carriers under the joint development programme. The contractual scope also includes the delivery of support and training systems. The company is expected to deliver the vehicles between 2021 and 2029.
The company signed a letter of intent with Finland for a potential serial order of 6×6 vehicles.
Three pre-series vehicles were ordered by the Finnish Defense Forces in January 2022 as part of a collaborative 6×6 vehicle effort including Finland, Latvia, Sweden and Patria.
The Finnish Defence Forces obtained three pre-series vehicles in 2022. These were used for testing before the real serial procurement.
The Swedish Defence Procurement Agency ordered 20 Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles in April 2023. The first batch of vehicles known as Pansarterrangbil 300 in Sweden was delivered in October 2023.
In June 2023, Finland placed an order for 91 Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles, which included an option for 70 vehicles. Finland exercised the option to purchase another 40 vehicles in January 2024.
