Slovakia receives first Patria AMV XP 8×8 armoured combat vehicle

Slovakia received its first AMV XP 8×8 vehicle – an ambulance version – on 26 September. (Slovak MoD)

Slovakia received its first Patria 8×8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) XP on 26 September for integration work by local companies, the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on its website later the same day.

The vehicle is in ambulance configuration and is scheduled to enter service with the Slovak Armed Forces in 2024 after integration work on it is completed. General Daniel Zmeko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, said the vehicles would replace “hopelessly outdated” BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

Slovakia signed a government-to-government agreement with Finland for 76 AMV XPs – 60 armoured combat vehicles, 10 ambulances, and six command vehicles – in August 2022, with deliveries scheduled to be completed in 2027.

Patria announced in November 2017 that it had delivered a new version of the AMV XP to Slovakia for the joint development with Finland of an 8×8 IFV for the Slovak Armed Forces. The prototype was delivered to state joint-stock company Konštrukta-Defence, the Slovak prime contractor for the programme responsible for vehicle assembly, system integration, and delivery. This includes the integration of a Turra 30 remote weapon station with a 30 mm cannon delivered by EVPÚ Defence of Slovakia.

The Slovak MoD expects national defence industry involvement in the AMV XP procurement of at least 40%, with final integration of the vehicles in Slovakia, including by Konštrukta-Defence. Moreover, Patria plans to move production of some components to Slovakia, managed by Slovak manufacturer CSM Industry, which is already involved in the production of the first vehicles in Finland, to acquire the necessary expertise, according to the MoD.