Initially established by Finland and Latvia in 2019, the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme is a multinational cooperation initiative. The objective is to jointly develop and introduce a new armoured vehicle system that meets the shared requirements of participating countries, plus to deliver cost benefits through joint procurement. The Patria 6×6 vehicle has been selected as the platform for the programme, the aim is to use the member nations’ own industrial capabilities to deliver reliable supply chains.
The UK and Norway have now joined the programme, which brings the total number of countries in the programme to seven: Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. UK Minister of State for Defence Lord Vernon Coaker announced the move in his keynote address at DSEI UK 2025 “I am delighted to confirm that the UK will be joining the Common Armoured Vehicle System Technical Arrangement”.
According to Patria their 6×6 vehicle offers
Survivability: The Patria 6×6 offers advanced protection, mobility, and payload for demanding troop transport and combat support roles.
Mobility: The Patria 6×6 features advanced suspension, seats up to 12 crew and soldiers, and offers exceptional mobility and optional amphibious capability.
Versatile and easy to use: Patria 6×6 is a flexible, easy-to-operate vehicle designed for troop transport and various support roles.
Affordable: The Patria 6×6 is an affordable and reliable armoured vehicle built for low maintenance and a long service life.
We should note that supplying the vehicles to the UK armed forces would still be subject to the UK procurement process which would involve several stages such as signing the R&D framework, and life cycle management agreements.
Patria themselves commented:
”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 continues: “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.“
Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, stated:
“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.”
Read more at Babcock International
