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2024-03-06

Patria, DSL, FFG Forge APC Deal for Bundeswehr

In a move that could shake up the German defence industry, three major companies have announced a partnership to offer a new armoured personnel carrier (APC) for the Bundeswehr. Finnish defence contractor Patria, German companies DSL (part of KNDS) and FFG, have joined forces to design, produce, and maintain variants of Patria’s 6x6 APC, potentially replacing the aging Fuchs fleet.

The collaboration comes under the international Common Armoured Vehicles System (CAVS) programme, and Patria will lead the project if Germany selects their offering.

The Finnish company will handle design and development, while DSL and FFG will provide local expertise in engineering, production, and life-cycle support across Germany. The team is actively seeking additional German partners to further localise the project.

European Collaboration

The CAVS programme, originally established by Finland and Latvia, and later joined by Sweden and Germany, is a joint programme of several European governments to create a state-of-the-art 6x6 armoured vehicle system. Germany officially joined the CAVS programme in April 2023. The programme is open to countries sharing similar requirements.

“We are pleased to start a partnership that will provide enormous added value for Germany. We offer to adapt for German needs a cost-effective, fully developed, off-the-shelf platform – the Patria 6x6 – that is already in production, fielded by NATO partner nations and will be produced locally in Germany to meet the high requirements and technical standards of the Bundeswehr,” commented Hugo Vanbockryck, Senior Vice President, Market Area Europe of Patria.

Christoph Cords, CEO of DSL Defence Service Logistics GmbH, part of KNDS group, underlined the benefits of the industrial teaming: “The partnership between Patria, DSL and FFG combines the best of German and Finnish engineering and manufacturing expertise and has the potential to take the already successful European CAVS programme to the next level.”

“This agreement establishes a powerful team ensuring a reliable and sustainable CAVS production in Germany,” pointed out Jörg Kamper, CEO of Jungenthal Wehrtechnik and Member of the Board, FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH. “The main design of the Vehicle System comes from Patria; the lion’s share of the manufacturing is German.

For FFG and JWT, this means that skilled jobs will be created in Germany, and German industry know-how, capacity and investments can be utilised and developed in this programme as well as for the future In-Service Support,” he added.

The programme chose Patria 6x6 as the vehicle platform in 2019. It is a modular and affordable vehicle platform for protected troop transport that offers high performance and unprecedented agility.

Legacy Advancer

Patria 6x6 builds upon the legacy of Patria’s renowned armoured wheeled vehicles, which have proven their efficacy in numerous peacekeeping and crisis management missions, transporting soldiers globally for decades.

It is characterised by its high-performance design, combining simplicity, robustness, and affordability to cater to tactical needs on a larger fleet scale. Its flexible structure allows for diverse configurations tailored to specific mission requirements, making it an ideal choice for troop transportation and combat support roles.

It not only ensures security but also guarantees a seamless supply chain through technology transfer, a local manufacturing concept, and comprehensive through-life support.

STANAG level 2 ballistic and mine protection is optimised solution for protected troop transport and combat support roles. High payload capability ensures that there is enough payload even for optional enhanced STANAG level 4 ballistic and mine protection on various vehicle variants.

Mobility Assurance

The vehicle, with robust independent suspension akin to the Patria AMV XP, guarantees exceptional mobility and crew comfort in its category. Capable of carrying up to 10 soldiers and a two-person crew, it secures all equipment within its protected hull, meeting a 72-hour mission requirement.

Enhanced by optimised all-wheel drive and front two-axle steering, it also offers optional amphibious capability for water crossings and landing operations.

Patria 6x6 is primarily designed for troop transport roles (APC), but is suitable to be configured for other combat support roles as well, such as Company Command vehicle, Medical Evacuation vehicle, Heavy APC and the 120 mm Patria Nemo mortar system.

It prioritises affordability and low through-life costs over its 30-year service life, considering vehicle maintenance, repair, and upgrades.

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