The Patria ARVE is a self-propelled howitzer that is based on the Patria 155 GH 52 APU field gun (known as the 155 K 98 in the Finnish Army) and the SISU E13TP all terrain 8×8 truck.
Development An initial digital designed was made public in 2015. One of the mentioned objective with this project was to ensure a domestic capacity to produce howitzers.
In 2017, Finland selected the K9 Thunder as its new self-propelled howitzer, and the project became dormant. But following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, needs to quickly modernise the indirect fire capabilities arose. Among the systems that need to be replaced are the field guns, especially the old soviet guns. The results of the Nexter CAESAR in the Ukraine war confirmed that this type of systems would be a good solution to replace the field guns, an economical and effective system, complementary to the K9 Thunder.
In 2024, the development of the project by Patria advanced with the intent to make a prototype. The first prototype was unveiled in 2025 at Arctic Event 2025, and its name was unveiled, the Patria ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle).
In June 2025, Patria announced having fired the system for the first time. And the performances were as expected, even with a maximum of charges.
Design
Prototype The prototype takes the existing Patria 155 GH 52 APU gun, and is installed on the chassis of the SISU E13TP with an added hydraulic stabiliser installed at the rear of the vehicle. The spade is lowered before firing to transfer most of the recoil into the ground.
Gun The gun barrel is equipped with a single-chamber muzzle brake. For the breach and recoil, it uses a Horizontal semi-automatic sliding block and hydro-pneumatic recoil system.
Ammunition The system can transport 24 complete ammunition. The shells can weigh from to .
Capabilities The prototype can shoot its first round 90 seconds after stopping, and it is ready to leave 45 seconds after the last round is shot. The firing rate of the system is:
3 rounds in the first 15 seconds 8 rounds per minute at its maximum rate of fire 2 rounds per minute at a sustained rate
Planned improvements The prototype will enable to test the concept and if the architecture of the system is sound. Depending on the cost target and the expectations of the potential clients, the original gun design might see some changes, such as an electrical laying system.
Technical data The detailed specifications and capabilities of the current version are summarised in the following table. ParametersSisu E13TP (8×8)Vehicle characteristicsLengthWidthHeightMassPower trainEngine powerFuel capacityPower / mass ratioDrivetrainAutomatic 6-speed Allison HD4500SP with a torque converter; Steyr VG 2000/300 2-step reduction gear with longitudinal, lockable differential between the front and rear axles.Vehicle performanceMax speedCruising rangeWeapon systemPrimary weaponGun-howitzer 155 mm 155 GH 52 APU L/52Elevation−3° to +60°Traverse±35° from centrelineProjectile magazine24 projectilesSights An optical panoramic periscopic dial sight, and a telescopic direct fire sight.Crew6 personnelWeapon performanceRate of fireMultiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) capable: 3 rounds in the first 15 seconds 8 rounds per minute at its maximum rate of fire 2 rounds per minute at a sustained rateEffective firing range—: (conventional high-explosive fragmentation shell) (base bleed shell)ProtectionArmorCabin ballistic protection: STANAG 4569 level 2STANAG 4569; Cabin mine protection: STANAG 4569 level 2a.CBRNPressurised cabin with protection against gases available.
See also
List of wheeled self-propelled howitzers ATMOS 2000 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 and 8×8 truck, Israeli system. AHS Kryl – 155 mm SPH on 6×6 truck, Polish derivative of ATMOS 2000 ATROM – 155 mm SPH on 6×6 truck, Romanian derivative of ATMOS 2000 А-222 “Bereg – 130 mm coastal artillery system on 8×8 truck, Russian system CAESAr – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 and 8×8 truck, French system DANA – 152 mm wheeled SPH on 8×8 truck, Czech system DITA and MORANA – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 8×8 truck, Czech system G6 Rhino – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 truck, South African system PCL-09 – 122 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 truck, Chinese system PCL-161 – 122 mm wheeled SPH on 4×4 truck, Chinese system PCL-171 – 122 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 AFV (Dongfeng CTL181A), Chinese system PCL-181 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 truck, Chinese system SH-15 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 truck, Chinese system for export, derived from PCL-181 – 122 mm wheeled SPH on 8×8 AFV (ZBL-08), Chinese system SH-1 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 truck, Chinese system for export RCH-155 – German 155 mm SPH available on 8×8 wheeled AFV (Boxer) and 10×10 wheeled AFV (Piranha IV, prototype) tracked AFV (Donar on ASCOD 2, prototypes, or RCH-155 Boxer module on tracked Boxer) possible on 6×6 and 8×8 trucks (prototypes) Type 19 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 8×8 truck, Japanese system Zuzana and Zuzana 2 – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 8×8 truck, Slovak system 2S22 Bohdana – 155 mm wheeled SPH on 6×6 and 8×8 trucks, Ukrainian system
References