26 March, 2025 Patria 6x6 armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: Patria
The Finnish company Patria is investing €40 million to expand its armored vehicle production facility in Hämeenlinna, the company announced on its website.
The funds will be used to enhance and expand production capacity, including the construction of new workshops.
Following the expansion, the plant’s output of armored vehicles is expected to nearly double.
Preparations for construction have already begun, with full commissioning of the new facilities scheduled for 2027.
The decision to expand comes in response to increasing orders for Patria armored vehicles.
“With the expansion of the Hämeenlinna production facility, we want to speed up the delivery of current orders, but also prepare for new orders and production of new products, including weapon systems and tracked vehicle manufacturing,” stated Patria’s Mikko Leino, Executive Vice President, Operations.
Wheeled Patria 6×6 armored personnel carrier with the Protector RS4 combat module. Photo credits: PatriaWheeled Patria 6×6 armored personnel carrier with the Protector RS4 combat module. Photo credits: Patria
He added that this investment is a key step in strengthening the EU’s defense technological and industrial base.
Growing demand for Patria vehicles
Patria has already received orders for over 800 Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and has delivered more than 200 as part of the international Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) program. Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany are currently participating in the program, with strong interest from other European nations.
Additionally, Patria is engaged in projects to supply Patria AMV XP 8×8 armored personnel carriers to Slovakia and Japan, with plans for localized production in these countries.
The first Patria-made AMV XP armored personnel carrier for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. Photo credits: Embassy of Japan in FinlandThe first Patria-made AMV XP armored personnel carrier for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. Photo credits: Embassy of Japan in Finland
In May 2024, Patria also opened an armored vehicle production facility in Valmiera, Latvia.
Initial batches of vehicles for customers are typically produced at Patria’s facilities, while large-scale production involves local industrial partners in the respective countries.
The Ambassador of Ukraine at the production of armored personnel carriers in Latvia. Source: Embassy of Ukraine in LatviaThe Ambassador of Ukraine at the production of armored personnel carriers in Latvia. Source: Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia
In early February, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds announced that the government plans to deliver 42 Patria 6×6 APCs to Ukraine as part of military assistance.
Read more details in Militarnyi’s article “Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers for Ukraine: what is worth knowing?“