The Patria AMV (Armoured 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 (armoured personnel carrier) vehicles and IFV (infantry fighting vehicle) versions, communications versions, ambulances and different fire-support versions, armed with large-caliber mortar and gun systems.
The vehicle has a high level of mine protection and can remain unaffected from most anti-personnel and anti-tank landmines. It can withstand explosions of up to 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 hydropneumatic suspension that can adjust each wheel individually.
History The AMV stems from a 1995 investigation by the Finnish Army HQ into different armoured 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 a 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 in 2003, 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.
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 successful testing of the prototype showed that it fulfilled all expectations.
The vehicle was initially designed in 6×6, 8×8 and 10×10 variants, but the 10×10 variant was later dropped.Panssariseminaari 2006
Variants
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 AMVXP In 2013 Patria launched a new upgraded version of AMV. In June 2014 Patria announced the name of its next generation 8×8 armoured vehicles, Patria AMVXP, which stands for Extra Payload, Extra Performance and Extra Protection.
Lockheed Patria Havoc AMV (United States) 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. 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. In August 2012, the Marines gave Lockheed a developmental contract for their vehicle, called the Havoc.Personnel carrier development contracts awarded - Militarytimes.com, September 10, 2012
For protection against mine attacks, the Havoc would have used a subframe rather than a V-hull.Wasserbly, Daniel. "Details emerge on competitors for the USMC's Marine Personnel Carrier." Janes, 28 September 2012. In 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, - Nationaldefensemagazine.org, October 2013 restarted in February 2014,Marines Budget Scramble: Commandant Resurrects MPC, ACV In Limbo - Breakingdefense.com, 17 February 2014 and then restructured as Phase 1 of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program, which included the previous MPC competitor entries.Marines upgrading, replacing amphibs under new strategy - Militarytimes.com, 24 September 2014
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 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.Havoc 8×8 Demonstrates High Levels of Crew Protection in Marine Corps' Blast Testing - Deagel.com, 24 September 2013
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. In July 2015 partnership between Patria and Lockheed Martin came to an end, and Havoc was not offered to the Amphibious Combat Vehicle program.Lockheed Martin Ends Collaboration with Patria on Havoc & Will Present its Own Design for ACV - Armyrecognition.com, 11 July 2015
Other variants
The Slovenian variant "SKOV Svarun 8×8" uses a specially designed hydraulic door. The new door features additional carrying space for ammunition, two RPG-type anti-tank weapons and a general purpose machinegun.Photo of the Svarun vehicle with new door "Slovenian Armed Forces" Another Slovenian variant "Patria Mangart 25 RCT" is a modification of SKOV Svarun by adding a Mangart 25mm autocannon turret (RCT = Remote Controlled Turret) developed by Slovenian company Valhalla. 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.Denel Land Systems promotional brochure (PDF). Jane's Information Group Due to various factors, e.g. mismanagement of the project and involvement by the Guptas brothers and associates , it is yet to enter South African service. Slovak variant "BOV 8×8 VYDRA" it is armed with a 30mm GTS 30 cannon mounted in a TURRA 30 with fire control system and ammunition containers. 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. BAE partnered with Patria to offer the "AMV35", a version of the AMV with an E35 turret from the CV9035 to create a combat reconnaissance vehicle for the Australian Army's Land 400 Phase 2 mounted combat reconnaissance requirement.See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pKux09WCnQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrePcmFNpQo and https://www.army-technology.com/projects/amv35-combat-reconnaissance-vehicle/ and https://www.armyrecognition.com/australia_australian_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicle/amv35_combat_reconnaissance_8x8_armoured_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_11002162.html Patria made an AMV featuring the CMI Defense CT-CV 105HP turret. The turret features an autoloader, laser warning system, and capabilities for a barrel launched guided missile.
Service Polish service
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 "base" configuration to by converted in Poland to other various configurations 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 making Poland the largest operator by a fair margin. The Vehicles are built in Poland under licence. In 2017 Polish Ministry of Defence said that production of KTO Rosomak is now 100% based in Poland.
Finnish service 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 12.7 mm 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.
Slovenian service
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 100 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 2008 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.
In 2024 Slovenia announced it would be purchasing more vehicles after an competition against several contenders.
South African service 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 (SANDF). 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. In November 2013, Denel Land Systems and Patria announced an agreement regarding Patria AMV 8×8 armoured wheeled vehicle serial production and delivery to South Africa. The agreement includes 238 vehicles, with 5 pre-series vehicles delivered during the development phase. In 2023, the SANDF was still in possession of 4 of the 5 original pre-production vehicles, but had not actually accepted them into service. The remainder of the order remained unfilled due to Denel's financial difficulties.
Croatian service