Patria AMV

The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish defence industry company Patria.

The main feature of the AMV is its modular design, which allows the incorporation of different turrets, weapons, sensors, or communications systems on the same carriage. Designs exist for different APC vehicles (armoured personnel carrier) and IFV versions (infantry fighting vehicle), communications versions, ambulances and different fire support versions, armed with large caliber mortar and gun systems. The vehicle has a very good level of mine protection and can withstand explosions of up to 10 kilograms (22 lb) TNT. The AMV has protection levels up to 30 mm APFSDS frontal arc. Another important feature is the very good mobility (combining speed, agility, and crew comfort) in rough terrain, enabled by the sophisticated but rugged hydraulic suspension adjusting each wheel individually.

History

Croatian AMV, rear compartment (turret-less)

The AMV stems from an investigation, made by the Finnish Army HQ in 1995, on different armored vehicle concepts. In 1996, Patria Vehicles began to develop different concept vehicles, and found the 8×8 one to be most suitable as a replacement for the 6×6 Sisu Pasi. The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) ordered an official concept study in 1999, which was ready by 2000. Patria continued to develop the vehicle and the first AMV prototype was ready for testing in November 2001. Two evaluation samples were ordered by the FDF in December 2001, and were delivered in 2003. Later the same year, the FDF ordered 24 AMOS-equipped Patria AMVs for delivery 2006–09. The FDF also said that they were looking to order some 100 units, equipped with remote-controlled weapon stations, later placing an order for 62. In December 2002, the Polish Defence Ministry placed an order for 690 vehicles, making Patria the leading manufacturer of IFV in the 15–27 tonne range in Europe. Subsequent deals were made all over Europe, as well as in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates—in many places being locally produced. In 2004, the AMV became the first 4th generation combat vehicle of its kind to enter serial production.^[2]

The design was based on experience gained from building the Pasi and on customer feedback on that vehicle. It was entirely designed in 3D virtual environments before construction and subsequent successful testing of the prototype showed that it fulfilled all the expectations.^[2]

The vehicle was initially designed in 6×6, 8×8 and 10×10 variants, but the 10×10 variant was later dropped.^[3]

Versions

Finnish AMV with AMOS mortar turret

A South African Badger tank destroyer variant along with a 30mm x 173 cannon and a 60mm mortar that can be mounted in a modular combat turret.

Patria AMV (first version)

The AMV is offered in three main variants: a basic platform, a high roof platform and a heavy weapon platform.

• The AMV basic platform includes APC, IFV, C2, ambulance, reconnaissance, mortar carrier, FCV, ATGM and MGS vehicles. The basic platform can also be provided as an extended Basic L platform with increased internal volume.
• The AMV high roof platform features a larger and higher rear compartment, which allows more space-requiring work to be done inside the vehicle. The AMV SP is suitable for C3, large ambulance and workshop vehicles.
• The AMV heavy weapon platform features a stronger structure, enabling the fitting of heavy weapon systems e.g. Patria AMOS 120 mm mortar turret or Mobile Gun System.

Patria AMV^XP

In 2013 Patria launched new concept version of AMV. In June 2014 Patria announced the name for its next generation 8x8 armoured vehicles, Patria AMV^XP (Extra Payload, Extra Performance and Extra Protection).^[4]

National variants

• The Slovenian variant "SKOV Svarun" uses a specially designed hydraulic door. The new door also features additional carrying space for ammunition, two RPG-type anti-tank weapons and a general purpose machinegun.^[5]
• The South African 'Badger' variant, equipped with an underfloor armour package from Land Mobility Technologies (LMT) and Denel Land Systems's Modular Combat Turret (MCT). Offered in Section, Fire Support, Mortar, Command and Missile sub-variants.^[6]
• The UAE variant is slightly lengthened (0.4 m longer) to allow fitting of the more spacious BMP-3 turret and the same number of soldiers as the original AMV model.^[7][8]

United States - Havoc

Patria and Lockheed Martin agreed to cooperate in the competition for the US Marines MPC (Marine Personnel Carrier) program that was set to replace the LAV-25. The USMC planned to obtain 600 MPC vehicles.^[9] Patria was to deliver the AMV 8×8 vehicle. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration was responsible for the MPC offer, as well as system integration, survivability systems, the US production line, and networking and logistics.^[10] In August 2012, the Marines gave Lockheed a developmental contract for their vehicle, called the Havoc.^[11]

For protection against mine attacks, the Havoc would have used a 'subframe' rather than a V-hull.^[12] On 3 April 2013, the Havoc successfully completed amphibious testing as part of its evaluation for the MPC program.

The Marine Personnel Carrier was put on hold in June 2013,^[13] restarted in February 2014,^[14] and then restructured as Phase 1 of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program,^[15] which included the previous MPC competitor entries.^[16]

During the summer of 2013, the Havoc successfully completed protection systems testing during a series of blast tests. The vehicle completed all threshold and objective protection system testing, with instrumentation indicating that no disabling injuries would have resulted to any of the three crew members and nine dismounted Marines. Lockheed also delivered a report demonstrating the high degree of commonality between the Havoc and other Marine Corps vehicles, aimed at reducing cost, training requirements, and logistics needs.^[17]

The Lockheed Havoc AMV completed the Nevada Automotive Test Center's Butte Mountain Trail course in September 2014. Lockheed planned to offer the Havoc in the Marine Corps' ACV Phase 1 program, and give them 16 vehicles to test once a Request for Proposals (RFP) was released in early 2015.^[18] However, in July 2015 partnership between Patria and Lockheed Martin came to an end, and Havoc was not offered to the Ampihibous Combat Vehicle program.^[19]

Service

Slovenian AMVs

South African Badger with a DLS MCT-30 turret

The Polish Army has ordered 690 vehicles in 2003, including 313 AMVs with the Italian Oto Melara 30 mm Hitfist-30P turret and 377 AMVs in various other configurations to be delivered between 2004 and 2013. Some of the Polish vehicles were deployed in Afghanistan. The Polish vehicles are known as KTO Rosomak ("wolverine") in Polish Army service. In 2013 the Polish army ordered 307 more vehicles, including 122 AMVs and 80 mortars, totaling 997 units.

The Finnish Army has ordered 24 AMVs fitted with the AMOS mortar system and 62 AMVs fitted with Protector (RWS) remote weapon system for the .50 M2HB QCB heavy machine gun or the GMG grenade machine gun. The standard version is known as XA-360 in Finnish Army service, while the AMOS version is known as XA-361.

In June 2006, the Slovenian Ministry of Defence declared that the Patria AMV would be the new armoured fighting vehicle of the Slovenian Armed Forces. Patria will supply 135 vehicles, some equipped with the NEMO mortar, some with Elbit 30 mm remote controlled weapon station and the rest with Kongsberg Protector turrets. Allegations in the Finnish media that Patria used bribery to secure the Slovenian contract led to a scandal and a criminal investigation in Finland and may have contributed to the defeat of Prime Minister Janez Janša in the 2008 Slovenian parliamentary elections. Due to the financial crisis, the defence budget was cut several times. At first, the contract to supply 135 vehicles should have been amended to have less vehicles with better armament. Later on, the defence ministry suffered from even bigger financial cuts. In 2012, the Defence Minister announced the termination of the contract, by which time 30 vehicles had been received. More armored vehicles and higher calibre weapons are to be bought in the mid-term future.

In May 2007, the South African Denel Land Systems was awarded a contract to build an improved version of the AMV, with a high level of ballistic and mine protection for the South African National Defence Force. The AMV will replace South-African Ratels as part of the "Project Hoefyster" (Horseshoe). Five different versions are included: Command, Mortar, Missile, Section and Fire Support vehicles.^[20] In November 2013, Denel Land Systems and Patria announced that they have signed an agreement regarding Patria AMV 8x8 armoured wheeled vehicle serial production and delivery to South Africa. The agreement includes 238 vehicles, out of which 5 pre-series vehicles have already been delivered during the development phase.^[21]

In July 2007, the Croatian Ministry of Defence selected the Patria AMV as the new armoured fighting vehicle of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia in their first international tender in its history.^[22] 84 AMVs will be supplied. Initially, the plan called for 84 8×8 vehicles and 42 6×6 vehicles. The Croatian Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of 84 Patria AMV 8×8 vehicles. The 6×6 configuration idea was scrapped, and the remaining 42 vehicles were decided to be 8×8s. The purchase of the remaining 42 AMVs was made in December, 2008. Due to the financial crisis, the contract was slightly amended in April 2010. There was an initial plan of shelving the order by a half (64 vehicles were mentioned) but it was decided that the total of 126 units would remain on order. However, in order to somewhat decrease the cost of the deal, the most expensive variants like the NEMO or engineering units will probably be replaced by less costly APC variants. On the other hand, the production will be speeded up and all vehicles are to be delivered by the end of 2012.

The Republic of Macedonia government announced in 2006 that it would procure the same type as that which the Croatian military would choose after test trials in 2007—as this would be a less expensive than conducting trials of their own. The configuration of Patria vehicles that eventually won the competition will be similar to those in Slovenian service, but probably in smaller numbers. However, any contract has not been published.^[22]

In January 2008, Patria announced that the United Arab Emirates armed forces had ordered the AMV, equipped with the BMP-3 turret. The number of vehicles is yet to be announced.

On 30 January 2008, it was announced that Patria has offered to deliver 30 first AMVs within four months of ordering, if the Czech Army chooses AMV as its next APC. The Czech army had earlier chosen the Austrian Steyr Pandur as their next APC, but the Czech government withdrew from the deal at the end of last year, citing Steyr's failure to fulfill the commitments ensuing from the contract.^[23]

In August 2010, Patria sold 113 AMVs to Sweden in a deal worth 250 million Euros. The deal included an option for another 113 vehicles in the future.

Combat history

Polish version of Patria AMV known as KTO Rosomak type M1M in Afghanistan

War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)

• The Polish Land Forces contingent, which is a part of the International Security Assistance Force, has been operating 35 (later raised to 50) KTO Rosomak vehicles (including 5 medevac) in Afghanistan since 2007. The APCs were equipped with additional steel-composite armor. In early 2008, a Polish Rosomak serving in Afghanistan (the version with upgraded armor) was attacked by Taliban rebels. The vehicle was hit three times with RPG-7 rockets but it managed to fire back and returned to base without any help required.^[24] In June 2008, a Rosomak was attacked by Taliban and was hit in its frontal armor with an RPG. The armour was not penetrated. Rosomaks have also been attacked by mines and improvised explosive devices.^[25][26] In 2009, the first soldier was reported killed inside a Rosomak after an IED exploded under the vehicle. Similar attacks occurred before, but without casualties.^[27]
• In October 2010, a platoon of Svarun vehicles was sent to Afghanistan to support the Slovenian OMLT.^[28]

European Union mission in Chad (2008–09)

European Union Force Chad/CAR used 16 KTO Rosomak (including 2 medevac).^[29]

Operators

Map of Patria AMV operators in blue

Current operators

Patria AMV of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia

 Croatia

126 units currently entering service, 84 ordered in 2007 and additional 42 in December 2008, first 4 vehicles delivered in December 2008. Due to a military budget cut, the order was slightly amended in April 2010, but the total number of 126 units was not changed. All vehicles are to be delivered by late 2012.^[30][31]

 Finland

62 standard APCs equipped with Kongsberg turrets and 18 armoured wheeled mortar carriers equipped with the AMOS mortar system.

 Poland

997 APCs and AFVs with the ability to swim. Designated KTO Rosomak (Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony Rosomak) /transl. wheeled armored personnel carrier "Wolverine"/ or XC-360P. Deliveries of the vehicle are to be completed by 2019. In 2013 order for 359 IFVs and 331 base vehicles was increased by 307 units—including 122 IFV with new turret.^[32] In 2013 there were 570 vehicles in service^[33] In January 2015, the Polish army ordered 200 additional vehicles.^[34] This will bring the total up to 977 vehicles in 2019.

 Slovenia

Initial order of 135 AFVs, of which 12 will be equipped with NEMO mortars. Due to a military budget cut, a new contract for less vehicles is in evaluation process. Its Slovenian designation is SKOV 8×8 Svarun (Srednje kolesno oklepno vozilo (SKOV) 8×8 'Svarun' / transl.: Medium wheeled armored vehicle 8×8 "Svarun"). In September 2012, the deal was shrunk to encompass only the 30 vehicles that had already been delivered, due to economic and legal questions.^[35]

 South Africa

238 units. Designated Badger.^[36] There will be five versions: a standard infantry carrier, a command car, fire support variant, mortar carrier and tank hunter.^[37]

 Sweden

Sweden made an order for 113 vehicles, and had an option for the same amount of vehicles,^[38] but a Swedish court ordered the competition to be re-done.^[39] On August 13, 2010 the new competition ended in the same result as the original competition with Sweden ordering 113 vehicles from Patria.^[40] The first vehicles were delivered on March 5, 2013.^[41]

 United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates Army ordered^[42] an initial evaluation batch of 15 vehicles.^[43] Some of these vehicles will be equipped with the Patria Nemo turret while others will be equipped with BMP-3 turrets and have therefore been slightly modified, including a somewhat longer hull.^[44] In January 2016, the General Headquarters of the UAE armed forces ordered 40 Patria AMV hulls with the option of 50 more.^[45][46]

Potential future operators

• Australian Army — BAE Systems Australia and Land 400 bid partner Patria have been confirmed as one of two tenders selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle program.

Evaluation-only operators

•  United States - The Patria AMV partook in the Amphibious Combat Vehicle trials in the US. Lockheed Martin partnered with Patria offering the AMV under the name Havoc, but ended cooperation with Patria and offered a different vehicle for the program in July 2015.^[47]

Total: 1,825 vehicles ordered.

Museum exhibits

• Parola Tank Museum, Hattula, 1 APC variant with Kongsberg turret and 1 AMOS mock-up ^[48]

References

External links

• Patria AMV official website

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