The Finnish Defence Forces has ordered six bridge-laying vehicles from local company Patria to support combat missions in obstacle-ridden terrains.
Valued at 23.6 million euros ($26 million), the contract specifies that the tracked vehicles must be able to transport, launch, and retrieve Leguan bridges of different lengths.
They must also be constructed using the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank chassis for improved versatility and maneuverability.
According to the company, the agreement will not only strengthen military capabilities but also boost job opportunities in Finland, as it is expected to provide 70 person-years of work.
“The agreement further strengthens Patria’s position in the Finnish defense industry as the leading supplier of system integrations and engineer corps’ heavy equipment to the Finnish Defence Forces,” Patria executive vice president Jussi Järvinen said.
Deliveries are scheduled from 2026 to 2028.
About Bridge-Laying Vehicles
Bridge-laying vehicles are designed to assist militaries in rapidly deploying armored vehicles across rivers and other obstacle-ridden terrains.
They also help infantry units cross craters, ravines, anti-tank ditches, and destroyed bridges.
One of the most prominent bridgelayers is the 70-ton M104 Wolverine currently in service with the US Army.
It is based on a modified M1A2 Abrams main battle tank chassis and can withstand countless crossings of vehicles as heavy as the M1A2 Abrams.
Another widely used bridge-laying vehicle is the German Biber exported to Australia, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Originally developed for the German military, the vehicle is based on a Leopard 1 main battle tank chassis and is capable of laying its bridge horizontally rather than vertically.