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Patria Pasi

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Pasi (Patria XA-180 Series)
Norwegian XA-185
TypeAmphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier
Place of originFinland
Specifications
Mass13.5 tonnes (13.3 long tons; 14.9 short tons)
Length7.5 m (25 ft)
Width2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height2.77 m (9 ft 1 in)
Crew2 (+16 passengers)
Armor10 mm
Main
armament
12.7 mm NSV machine gun
EngineXA-180: Valmet 611 DSBJA diesel
XA-200: Valmet 612 DWIBIC (EURO 2), 6 in-line cylinders, turbo-charged, intercooled diesel
XA-180: 236 hp (176 kW)
XA-200; 271 hp (202 kW) at 2100 rpm, max torque 1080 Nm at 1600 rpm
Power/weight17.48 hp/tonne
Suspensionparabolic leaf-springs with hydraulic shock absorbers
Operational
range
900 km
Maximum speed 100+ km/h on land, 10 km/h in water

The Patria Pasi (earlier known as the Sisu Pasi) is a Finnish made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. It was designed to operate with ease of use, simple structure and low-cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration of Patria Pasi is similar to most wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 versions are fully amphibious while the XA-203 is not.

Development

In 1980, Sisu produced an XA-180 prototype for Finnish Army tests. It competed against two other prototypes, but was declared the winner of the trials in 1983. On 22 December 1983 the Finnish Army ordered a first batch of fifty XA-180s, of which nine were reserved for UN duties. The vehicle proved quite successful and more orders were soon to follow.

The XA-180 was originally manufactured and marketed by the Finnish company Sisu Auto but later variants were marketed by the Finnish defence company Patria and are known as Patria XA series.[1] The Vehicle's widely known nickname "Pasi" (also a common given name of Finnish men) stems from the Finnish name "panssari-Sisu" (Template:Lang-en). The main superstructure is mainly manufactured from 6 to 12 mm of armour steel and the bottom is mine strengthened, the front windows are bullet-resistant and equipped with protective hatches. The vehicle has continuous six wheel drive and good capabilities for off-road driving. It can take inclines up to a maximum of 60°.

The XA series has no standard armament, but is equipped with a rotating turret-structure for installation of light/heavy machine guns or autocannons. It also has 8 BMP style firing ports on the sides and rear. Therefore, passengers, usually a squad of infantry, can fire their weapons from the cover of the armor.

The XA series is popular in peacekeeping missions due to its mobility, non-aggressive appearance, and good protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IED). The vehicle also offers a good combination of armament, comfort, mine protection, protection against shrapnel and small calibre fire, road speed, short time of learning how to drive, and an acceptable terrain mobility. It also offers more internal space compared to other similar vehicles like the Fuchs or BTR-80.

Operational service

The Sisu Pasi has seen service in several conflict areas, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Eritrea, Golan Heights, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macedonia, Namibia, Liberia, Somalia and Chad.

Pasis have also been used by the Finnish police in sieges and SWAT operations.

Versions

Sisu XA-180
Original six wheeler, carries crew of 2 and 16 troops. Empty weight ca 12 tonnes.
Sisu XA-185
Upgraded version, carries crew of 2 and 18 troops. Has a more powerful engine and improved power transmission. Used as an ambulance in the Norwegian Army.
Sisu XA-186
Upgraded armour. Armoured and machine assisted gun turret (.50 BMG). Can not swim because of the heavy armour. Empty weight ca 19 tonnes. Engine and transmission same as XA-185.
Sisu XA-188
Used by the Netherlands Army.[2]
Sisu XA-200
The 200 series looks a little different from older variants due to increased armour. It lacks amphibious capabilities but can wade through water that is up to 1.5 m deep. The improved armour protects the passengers against up to 14.5 mm small arms fire. It is also equipped with modern optical aids like periscopes and night vision. The armor upgrade was initiated after the realisation that the previous armor was inadequate, even modern armor-piercing 7.62 mm ammunition could pierce the older XA-180 and XA-185 models in certain areas. The XA-202 was originally developed for Communications and Command. The XA-203 was made as a temporary replacement for XA-185, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service. The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish defence company Patria.

There are numerous sub-versions of the different main versions, e.g. armored personnel carriers, ambulance, communications, surface-to-air missile carrier, radar vehicle, headquarters, fire-fighting[3] and anti-tank versions among others.

Operators

Map of Pasi operators in blue with former operators in red
An Estonian XA-180 in Afghanistan.
A Sisu Pasi in use by the Finnish police during the Kauhajoki school shooting.
A Swedish XA-203 of South Scania Regiment (P7), Scania, Sweden.

There are five original customers of the Pasi: Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, while a large number have been leased to other military forces of the world.

Current operators

Former operators

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SISU/Patria XA-series.

References

  1. ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/finland_finnish_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_uk/xa-188_sisu_patria_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html Profile of the XA-188
  2. ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/finland_finnish_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_uk/xa-188_sisu_patria_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html Profile of the XA-188
  3. ^ "Image of fire-fighting Pasi". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Die Fahrzeuge der UNDOF". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  5. ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  6. ^ http://www.soldf.com/patgbxa180.html
  7. ^ http://www.soldf.com/patgb203.html

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