Finnish defense company Patria has completed live-fire testing of its new ARtillery on Vehicle (ARVE) mobile artillery system, dubbed the 155 Self-Propelled Gun (SPG).
The tests evaluated the system’s performance under various firing conditions, including the use of high-overpressure charges.
Unveiled in March at the Arctic Event in Lapland, the system is designed for operations in Arctic environments.
The ARVE system is built around Patria’s 155K98 artillery piece, already in service with the Finnish Defence Forces, and is mounted on a Sisu all-terrain truck chassis.
It allows for high mobility and a rapid rate of fire and can engage both land and naval targets.
The 155 SPG is domestically produced and fully interoperable with Finland’s existing artillery systems in terms of maintenance, spare parts, and ammunition.
It is also compatible with NATO-standard artillery munitions and fire control platforms.
Mikko Leino, Executive VP of Patria’s Defence and Weapon Systems division, described the ARVE system as an innovative addition to the company’s indirect fire capabilities, introduced at a time of growing regional security concerns.
“We believe that our new product will meet the performance requirements of our customers and will also find its way into international markets,” he added.
Finland Boosting Security
Helsinki aims to bolster its defense posture amid heightened tensions with neighboring Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border.
In May, the Scandinavian nation announced it was considering raising the reservist age limit to 65 as part of broader efforts to reinforce national security.
The move comes after Helsinki ended its long-standing military neutrality and joined NATO in 2023.
Moscow has issued repeated warnings since Finland acceded to the alliance following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
