Official press releases, news and speeches that the minister has held are located in this section. The Ministry of Defence publishes all of its press releases and news in Finnish and Swedish and many of them in English, too.
Press Releases
26.04.2024 13:30
The Defence Forces to procure 6x6 heavy armoured personnel carriers
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to launch the serial procurement of 6x6 heavy armoured personnel carriers (HAPC) from Patria Land Oy.
The HAPCs will be procured for the Army for use in crisis management. The first phase of the procurement includes one pre-series vehicle and 20 remote weapon systems that can be equipped on the vehicle. The procurement also includes an additional provision for the procurement of 18 new vehicles, including equipment, maintenance, spare parts and training.Sweden has participated in the development of the remote weapon systems for the HAPC. Finland’s aim is to procure the weapon systems at the same time as Sweden.
“The new vehicles are modern and easy to use. They will provide protection and firepower to our troops, which will improve the operational capacity of our crisis management force,” said Minister Häkkänen.
The procurement will be carried out as part of the international Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. The programme is led by Finland and also includes Latvia, Sweden and Germany. In cooperation with Patria, the countries in the programme will develop a common wheeled armoured vehicle system that meets their requirements and is based on Patria's 6x6 armoured vehicle platform. The vehicle system will include several vehicle variants, including the HAPC variant being procured now.
“Through the CAVS programme, Sweden, for example, has already ordered a significant number of these vehicles, and it is likely that several more allies will adopt them. This will improve both Finland’s and its allies’ military security of supply. At the same time, we will be supporting domestic employment and expertise,” Häkkänen said.
Including the additional provision, the total VAT-inclusive value of the procurement is about EUR 60 million with a domestic employment effect of 56 person-years.
Deliveries of the vehicles and remote weapon systems will begin in 2026.
Inquiries: Riikka Saxlin, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 412; Colonel Ari Lehmuslehti, Inspector of Infantry, Army Command Finland, tel. +358 299 800 (Defence Forces’ switchboard).