Patria, an international defense and technology firm, agreed to a deal with the Swedish Defense Procurement Agency (FMV) to acquire 20 Patria 6×6 armored vehicles, referred to as “Pansarterrängbil 300” in Sweden. The vehicles will be delivered in 2023.
The Patria 6×6 was chosen as the foundation for the unique Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) cooperation program between several European countries, including Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. Deliveries to Latvia began at the end of 2021, and Finland received its pre-series vehicles in the summer of 2022. Sweden joined the 6×6 research and development program in 2022, and this year’s deliveries are the first steps in meeting the Swedish demand for several hundred vehicles throughout the 2020s. The vehicle is driven by a diesel engine capable of producing up to 290 horsepower, allowing it to reach a top speed of 100 km/h. Its fully automated 7-speed gearbox and 2-speed transfer case provide the driver with precise control and maneuverability.
The Patria 6×6 also has customizable modular armor protection for various mission requirements, providing defense against ballistic threats, mines, and improvised explosive devices. When fully loaded, the Patria 6×6 weighs up to 24,000 kg, with an empty weight of approximately 16,000 kg. The Patria 6×6 can be equipped with various weapon systems, including a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and a 30mm cannon.
Its independent suspension system on all six wheels provides excellent off-road capabilities and improved ride comfort. The Patria 6×6 is also equipped with cutting-edge electronics, such as a digital intercom system, GPS, and night vision equipment. Additionally, it has amphibious capabilities and can swim in water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h thanks to its waterjet propulsion system. The Patria 6×6, scheduled for delivery to the Swedish army, is the APC model, featuring state-of-the-art protection for up to 12 crew members.
Although primarily designed for troop transportation, the vehicle is modular and can be reconfigured for a wide range of purposes, including command & control and ambulance duties. Mats Warstedt, Patria’s head of Market Area Nordics, remarks, “The Swedish Armed Forces have been using Patria’s XA 6×6 and AMV 8×8 vehicles for over three decades in many hostile environments worldwide, and this new contract for our latest Patria 6×6 vehicle shows that the vehicles live up to our commitments.” “The Patria 6×6 vehicle is also an excellent example of Finnish-Swedish cooperation, where significant value is provided by Swedish suppliers, such as the engine and the steel of its armor,” he adds.