The German military has asked Finnish firm Patria to submit a binding offer for a fleet of new generation armored transport vehicles.
Around 300 wheeled vehicles are being sought for procurement to replace the country’s aging Fuchs personnel carriers, first inducted in 1979.
The procurement is being planned as part of the multi-nation Common Armoured Vehicle System project, which includes Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany.
“Parliamentary consideration is planned for the earliest possible date after the constitution of the new Bundestag and its committees,” Hartpunkt wrote, citing a German Ministry of Defense spokesperson.
Contract This Year
Patria was informed about the potential deal in late 2024 and an offer could be submitted soon, the German outlet added.
The offer would be negotiated by the German Armed Forces’ procurement office, which is likely to finance the deal through a special military fund.
A contract could be signed shortly before the parliamentary summer recess in August, 2025, at the earliest and more likely after the recess in September or October.
Patria’s Offer
The firm has been preparing for the deal for quite some time and has partnered with local firms.
Patria’s 6×6 proposal is based on its older 8×8 Armored Modular Vehicle, offering enhanced mobility, protection, and firepower.
The firm is the lead designer and fabricator for the project, while German firms DSL and FFG will provide engineering, production, and life-cycle support.
Expected Features
The proposed vehicle weighs 53,000 pounds (24,000 kilograms) and measures 25 feet (8 meters) from head to toe.
It is built according to NATO’s ballistic protection standards to withstand rounds between 39mm and 114mm.
The vehicle can carry a group of 10 passengers and a crew of three — a driver, commander, and optional gunner.
It has a top speed of over 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour and a payload capacity of 18,700 pounds (8,500 kilograms).
