Finland places its first serial order under Common Armoured Vehicle Sy…

Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has ordered 91 6×6 vehicles from Patria under the CAVS programme, with an option for up to 70 APCs. (Patria)

Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has ordered 91 6×6 vehicles from Patria under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme led by Finland, the company announced in a press release on 2 June. The order includes spare parts, tools, and operation and maintenance training, with an option for up to 70 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in addition to the 91 vehicles. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later in 2023.

Jussi Järvinen, executive vice-president, Finland division, Patria, told Janes on 6 June that the overall value of the procurement, including options and value-added tax, is about EUR208 million (USD222.5 million).

The Finnish Defence Forces acquired the first three pre-series vehicles in 2022 for testing, familiarisation, and to define the final requirements for the serial production version. The Finnish Ministry of Defence and Patria signed a letter of intent in 2021 for Finland to order 160 CAVS vehicles.

In April Germany formally joined the CAVS programme with the signing of the technical arrangement and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) ordered Sweden's first 20 vehicles.

Järvinen said deliveries to Sweden were proceeding according to plans for the first deliveries to start in the beginning of May and to be completed in October.

According to Patria, CAVS vehicles are designed primarily for troop transport, with modularity allowing them to be configured for purposes including command-and-control and ambulance duties. Other variants include APC and heavy APC, engineer, and logistic support, with the possibility of arming it with the Nemo 120 mm turreted mortar for indirect fire support.