Patria AMV

Infobox Weapon
name=Patria AMV


caption=Patria AMV in South Africa
origin= flagcountry|Finland
type=
is_vehicle=yes
crew=3 (commander, driver, gunner)
10 passenger
length= convert|7.7|m|abbr=on
width= convert|2.8|m|abbr=on
height= convert|2.3|m|abbr=on
weight= convert|16000|to|26000|kg|abbr=on
armour=
primary=
secondary=
engine= DI 12 Scania Diesel
engine_power= convert|360|kW|hp|abbr=on or convert|405|kW|hp|abbr=on
suspension= 8×8 wheeled "or"
6×6 wheeled
speed= over convert|100|km/h|mph|-1|abbr=on on land
up to convert|10|km/h|mph|-1|abbr=on in water
pw_ratio= convert|15.6|kW/t|abbr=on (max weight)
vehicle_range= convert|800|km|mi|abbr=onThe Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8x8 or 6x6 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish weapons manufacturer Patria. The first prototype was produced in 2001 and the first vehicles were delivered to the Finnish Army in 2003. Serial production was started in 2004.

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 (armoured personnel carrier) and IFV (infantry fighting vehicle) versions, communications versions, ambulance versions and different fire support versions, armed with large caliber mortar and gun systems. One very important feature is that the AMV has a top-class mine protection and can withstand explosions up to convert|10|kg|lb TNT.

ervice

The Polish Army has ordered 313 AMVs with the Italian Oto Melara 30 mm turret and 377 AMVs in various other configurations to be delivered between 2004 and 2013. Some of the Polish vehicles are currently employed in Afghanistan. The Polish vehicles are known as KTO Rosomak ("wolverine") in Polish Army service.

The Finnish Army has ordered 24 AMVs fitted with the AMOS mortar system and 62 AMVs fitted with Protector M151 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 will be the new armoured fighting vehicle of the Slovenian Armed Forces. Patria will supply 135 vehicles, some equipped with the NEMO mortar, the rest with Kongsberg turrets. A criminal investigation was launched in Finland to investigate whether Patria had paid bribes to Slovenian officials in the country's Ministry of Defence, as well as to the Prime Minister Janez Janša. See the Patria affair.

In May 2007, the South African Denel Land Systems was awarded a contract to build an improved version of the AMV, with a higher level of ballistic and mine protection for the South African National Defence Force. The AMV will replace South-African Ratels as part of the "Program Hoefyster" (Horseshoe). Five different versions are included: Command, Mortar, Missile, Section and Fire Support vehicles. [ [http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.551752.1062413669&modele=jdc_34 Defense Aerospace: Denel Lands Biggest Contract In Its History] ]

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. [ [http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2007,7,24,vojna_oprema,83436.jl Finci dobivaju posao za nabavu oklopnih vozila - 24 July 2007] ] 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 has yet to be made but is planned for 2008. As Croatia requires around 280 armoured fighting vehicles for its army, additional Patria AMV procurements are likely to occur.

The Republic of Macedonia government announced in 2006 that it will procure the same type which Croatian military chooses after test trials in 2007 because it is less expensive than conduct trials again at home. The configuration of Patria vehicles, which eventually won the competition, will be similar to those in Slovenian service but probably in smaller numbers. [ [http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2007,7,24,vojna_oprema,83436.jl Finci dobivaju posao za nabavu oklopnih vozila - 24 July 2007] ]

In January 2008 Patria announced that the United Arab Emirates armed forces had ordered the AMV, equipped with the BMP-3turret. 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. [ [http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=294103 Patria offers Czechs to supply first 30 APCs within four months - ČeskéNoviny.cz ] ]

Patria and Lockheed Martin joining forces

Patria and Lockheed Martin have agreed to cooperate in the competition for the US Marines MPC (Marine Personnel Carrier) deal. MPC is the Marines armoured vehicle that is to replace the LAV. The USMC (United States Marine Corps) is planning to obtain 600 MPC vehicles. [ [http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/24h/id72637.html Patria vahvoilla Yhdysvaltain merijalkaväen ajoneuvokaupoissa. YLE Uutiset 18.10.2007] ]

The expected offer competition will be held in the second quarter of 2008, and the USMC will evaluate the different competitors after this.

Patria will deliver the AMV 8x8 vehicle. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration is responsible for the MPC offer, as well as system integration, survivability systems, the US production line, as well as networking and logistics. [ [http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/doc.te?f_id=1247098&s=r Patrian AMV tarjolla Yhdysvaltain merijalkaväelle. Seppälä, Jarmo: Tekniikka ja Talous 18.10.2007] ]

Combat history

;War in Afghanistan (2001–present): The Polish Land Forces contingent, which is a part of the International Security Assistance Force have been operating 35 KTO Rosomak vehicles (including 5 medivac) in Afganistan since 2007. The KTOs were equipped with additional steel-composite armour. In early 2008 a Polish Rosomak serving in Afghanistan (the version with upgraded armour) was attacked by Taliban rebels. The vehicle was hit three times with a RPG-7 missile but it managed to fire back and returned to base without any help required. [ [http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80277,4295448.html?skad=rss Afganistan: 14 lipca dotrą dodatkowe pancerze dla Rosomaków ] ] In June 2008 a Rosomak was attacked by Talibans and was hit in its frontal armour with a RPG. The armour was not penetrated. Rosomaks have also been attacked by mines and improvised explosive devices but no vehicles have been destroyed.

Operators

;CRO: 84 units currently on order in 8x8 configuration [ [http://www.patria.fi/modules/release/show_release.asp?Id=2A3C8C5384384D33A7C4BA1F53061AC0&groupid=DE8140FCDD1C41ADA5CE28E1A5674A41&layout=2005_eng&tabletarget=data_1&pid=CF52E1D41C9B4E47BEBF84BA37461E71 Patria's press release 6.8.2007] ] , additional 42 units in 8x8 configuration will be ordered in 2008.;FIN: 62 standard APCs equipped with Kongsberg Gruppen turrets and 24 armoured wheeled mortar carriers equipped with the AMOS mortar system.;MKD: Has announced that it will purchase an unspecified number of AMVs. The Republic of Macedonia government announced in 2006 that it will procure the same type which Croatian military chooses after their test trials in 2007 because it is less expensive than conducting trials again at home. The configuration of Patria vehicles, which eventually won the competition, will be similar to those in Slovenian service but probably in smaller numbers. [ [http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2007,7,24,vojna_oprema,83436.jl Finci dobivaju posao za nabavu oklopnih vozila - 24 July 2007] ] ;POL: 690 APCs and AFVs with the ability to swim. Designated "KTO Rosomak" ( _pl. "Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony Rosomak") Deliveries of the vehicle are to be completed by 2013;flag|Slovenia: 135 AFVs, of which 12 will be equipped with NEMO mortars.;RSA: 264 units. Designated "Badger" [ [http://engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=109524 Engineering News 1.6.2007] ] ;UAE: The United Arab Emirates Army have ordered an undisclosed number of 8x8 AMVs. [ [http://www.patria.fi/modules/release/show_release.asp?Id=6F244930550C443D861CF9F51DBB128C&groupid=DE8140FCDD1C41ADA5CE28E1A5674A41&layout=2005_eng&tabletarget=data_1&pid=CF52E1D41C9B4E47BEBF84BA37461E71 Patria.fi: Patria’s AMV vehicle selected for United Arab Emirates (29.1.2008)] ] These vehicles will probably be equipped with BMP-3 turrets and have therefore led to slight modifications, including a somewhat longer hull. [ [http://www.armyrecognition.com/moyen_orient/Emirats_arabe/IDEX_2003_Pictures_Gallery/IDEX_2007/images/IDEX_2007_Dynamic_Demonstration_006.jpgImage of Patria AMV with BMP-3 turred at IDEX 2007] ] Total: 1,259 vehicles ordered and about 200 delivered. The numbers does not include the Macedonian and United Arab Emirates orders (undisclosed numbers), plus possible Croatian and Slovenian follow-up orders.

ee also

* Sisu Pasi

References

External links

* [http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/armoured/patria_vehicles2/ AMV at Army Technology]
* [http://www.patria.fi/ Official site of the company]