The German government has awarded contracts exceeding €2 billion ($2.3 billion) to Finnish defense company Patria for the procurement of 876 Common Armored Vehicle Systems under the multinational CAVS program. The acquisition includes four vehicle variants, some fitted with the NEMO 120 mm mortar turret and others integrated with Kongsberg’s Protector RS4 remote weapon system.
Deliveries to Germany are set to commence in 2026, marking a major expansion of the country’s armored vehicle fleet. As part of the agreement, Patria will transfer key technologies to German defense firms FFG, JWT, and KNDS, enabling localized production. This effort builds on a 2024 industrial partnership aimed at ensuring sovereign manufacturing capabilities and long-term sustainment within Germany.
Locally produced CAVS vehicles are expected to roll out by 2027. The program itself was initiated by Finland in 2020 to establish a common, interoperable armored vehicle platform for allied nations, centered on the Patria 6×6 armored personnel carrier with an operational lifespan of up to three decades.
Designed in accordance with NATO standards, the Patria 6×6 offers an eight-meter hull, a nine-ton payload, and seating for up to 10 troops. The vehicle is powered by a 394-horsepower Scania diesel engine, enabling speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 700 kilometers. Patria is currently fulfilling close to 2,000 CAVS orders globally, with the program now counting seven participating countries, including Germany as its fourth member and the UK and Norway as the latest entrants.
