”Patria welcomes both the UK and Norway into the CAVS programme, including now already seven member nations. As European security needs to be strengthened, multinational collaboration is increasingly important for interoperability, interchangeability and security of supply among allies,” says Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President, Protected Mobility of Patria, added: “The CAVS programme provides its members a modern, versatile armoured vehicle designed for today’s complex military operations similarly building efficiently shared defence capabilities and significantly decreasing delivery timelines. At the same time, by utilizing the local industry capabilities of member nations, it is possible to provide maintenance security and independent support, maintenance, and repair services in all situations.“
To support the UK’s participation in the programme, Patria and Babcock International Group have signed a teaming agreement for local manufacturing of Patria 6×6 vehicles. Babcock will act as Patria’s build and support partner in the UK, producing vehicles for the British Army.
“We welcome the UK Ministry of Defence’s decision to join the CAVS programme – with the 6×6 proven to be a highly capable troop carrier which has been backed by multiple armed forces across Europe. We are proud to be working with Patria as their official build partner on the 6×6 – and as a strategic partner of the British Army, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a large fleet of formidable, proven armoured personnel carriers, backed by a comprehensive training and support package,” says Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector.
“As a strategic partner to the British Army, Babcock is an experienced system integrator and platform builder with advanced production capabilities. Their skilled team is currently delivering major projects for the British Army. Our partnership brings clear benefits: the UK needs a proven ready-to-use vehicle platform, and the Patria 6×6, already operational in NATO countries, will be locally built and supported to meet British Army requirements,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Protected Mobility at Patria.
Patria, with over four decades of experience in developing and delivering protected troop transportation and system integration, leads the 6×6 armoured vehicle system development as prime contractor within the CAVS programme. Nearly 1,000 Patria 6×6 vehicles have already been ordered and more than 250 delivered, with the programme open to other nations by mutual consent of its current members.
