Slovenia and Finland have signed a letter of intent outlining the procurement of Patria 8×8 Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMV) for Slovenia’s military.
No details of the intended procurement have been disclosed.
However, 106 vehicles are expected to be bought for an estimated 695 million euros ($730 million), according to Armada International.
“Finland plays an important role in Slovenia’s future trade,” Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Hakkanen said following the signing.
“Finland has developed armoured vehicle products and their operation both in the Defence Forces and in industry, and this expertise is provided by the defence administration to Slovenia as part of their future vehicle trade from Patria.”
The planned procurement is reportedly part of Ljubljana’s military modernization efforts, which include the induction of platforms such as French Caesar howitzers and Mistral man portable air defense systems.
Cancelled Boxer Deal
Negotiations for the procurement began soon after the cancellation of a deal to buy 45 Boxer armored vehicles in 2022, Armada International wrote, citing the Slovenian broadcaster 24UR.
The 343.4-million-euro ($360-million) purchase, which included associated equipment and services, was found to be insufficient for a medium battalion battle group required to be formed under a NATO commitment.
“There is a trend to buy off-the-shelf vehicles, when you buy a vehicle, you put it on the road and drive it. You don’t buy a vehicle and have to buy this and that,” Defense News quoted Defense Minister Marjan Šarec as saying.
At least 24 additional armored vehicles would have been required to sufficiently equip the battle group, Šarec added.
Additional platforms vetted for the procurement included the Polish Rosomak-L, Romanian Piranha 5, and Italian Frecia, according to Armada International.
Patria 8×8 AMV
The Patria 8×8 AMV offers scalable ballistic protection for up to level K5+ and mine protection above STANAG level 4a/4b.
It is also resistant to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and can add active defense systems.
The vehicle’s shape has been optimized for low observability, and it has a low radar and thermal signature.
For enhanced mobility and off-road driving, the platform is equipped with a strong chassis and an independent hydropneumatic suspension system.
In terms of firepower, it can be integrated with “medium-calibre weapon systems, direct fire cannon systems up to 120 mm, a Patria NEMO 120 mm turreted mortar system and anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile systems.”
