Patria AMV
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| Patria AMV | |
|---|---|
 Patria AMV in South Africa | |
| Place of origin |  Finland |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 16,000 to 26,000 kg (35,000 to 57,000 lb) |
| Length | 7.7 m (25 ft) |
| Width | 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) 12 passenger [1] |
| Engine | DI 12 Scania Diesel 360 kW (480 hp) or 405 kW (543 hp) |
| Power/weight | 15.6 kW/t (21.2 PS/t) (max weight) |
| Suspension | 8×8 wheeled or 6×6 wheeled |
Operational range | 800 km (500 mi) |
| Maximum speed | over 100 km/h (60 mph) on land up to 10 km/h (10 mph) in water |
The 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 10 kilograms (22 lb) TNT. The AMV has protection levels up to 30mm APFSDS frontal arc.
Service
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. Allegations in Finnish media that bribery was used by Patria 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.
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.[1]
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.[2] 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 ordered in December, 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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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 Afghanistan since 2007. The APC's 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 a RPG-7 missile but it managed to fire back and returned to base without any help required.[6] In June 2008 a Rosomak was attacked by Taliban and was hit in its frontal armor 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. The Polish Rosomak is feared by the Taliban who call it "The Green Devil" and according to some intelligence reports, they tend to cancel their attacks when AMV Rosomak is present.[7][2]
- European Union mission in Chad (2007-present)
- European Union Force Chad/CAR
Operators
Croatia- 126 units currently entering service, 84 ordered in 2007 and additional 42 in December, 2008, first 4 vehicles delivered in December, 2008. An additional 120 to 150 units may be ordered.[8][9]
Finland- 62 standard APCs equipped with Kongsberg turrets and 24 armoured wheeled mortar carriers equipped with the AMOS mortar system.
North Macedonia- 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.[2]
Poland- 833 APCs and AFVs with the ability to swim. Designated KTO Rosomak ([Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony Rosomak] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) /transl. wheeled armored personnel carrier "Wolverine"/ Deliveries of the vehicle are to be completed by 2018
Slovenia- 135 AFVs, of which 12 will be equipped with NEMO mortars.
South Africa- 264 units. Designated Badger.[10] There will be five versions: a standard infantry carrier, a command car, fire support variant, mortar carrier and tank hunter.[11]
Sweden- Sweden has ordered 113 vehicles, and has an option for the same amount of vehicles.[12]
United Arab Emirates- The United Arab Emirates Army have ordered an undisclosed number of 8x8 AMVs.[13] These vehicles will probably be equipped with BMP-3 turrets and have therefore led to slight modifications, including a somewhat longer hull.[14]
Total: 1,414 vehicles ordered. The numbers does not include the Macedonian and United Arab Emirates orders (undisclosed numbers), plus possible Slovenian follow-up orders.
See also
References
- ^ Defense Aerospace: Denel Lands Biggest Contract In Its History
- ^ a b c Finci dobivaju posao za nabavu oklopnih vozila - 24 July 2007
- ^ Patria offers Czechs to supply first 30 APCs within four months - ČeskéNoviny.cz
- ^ Patria vahvoilla Yhdysvaltain merijalkaväen ajoneuvokaupoissa. YLE Uutiset 18.10.2007
- ^ Patrian AMV tarjolla Yhdysvaltain merijalkaväelle. Seppälä, Jarmo: Tekniikka ja Talous 18.10.2007
- ^ Afghanistan: 14 lipca dotrą dodatkowe pancerze dla Rosomaków
- ^ www.eu.org: European armoured vehicles: current programmes: According to an article in the Polish "Gazeta Wyborcza" on 2 September 2008, Polish Rosomaks are called "Green Demons" by the Taliban insurgents and other armed groups and prove an effective deterrent on the ground. http://wyborcza.pl.
- ^ Patria's press release August, 2007
- ^ Patria's press release January, 2009
- ^ Engineering News 1.6.2007
- ^ DefenceWeb: Denel orders Saab computers for Hoefyster, 26.6.2009
- ^ Patria press release 25.6.2009
- ^ Patria.fi: Patria’s AMV vehicle selected for United Arab Emirates (29.1.2008)
- ^ Image of Patria AMV with BMP-3 turred at IDEX 2007
