The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has received its first mass-produced Armored Modular Vehicle, intended to replace the outdated Type-96 armored personnel carriers. The rollout ceremony was held at Japan Steel Works’ Muroran Plant, attended by JGSDF leadership. Production is taking place under license from Finland’s Patria, selected in 2022.
JGSDF announced that the first AMV will be handed over this fiscal year. The vehicle is designed for both domestic defense and international peacekeeping, offering advanced protection and mobility to safeguard troops in combat environments. The platform’s adaptability ensures it can be configured for multiple mission types.
The Patria AMV XP 8×8, chosen for production, has dimensions of 8.1 meters in length, 2.8 meters in width, and 2.4 meters in height. With a payload of 15,000 kilograms and a total combat weight of 32,000 kilograms, it combines capacity with resilience. An agreement signed in 2023 specifies that the first vehicle would be built in Finland, while mass production will begin in Japan by September 2025.
Capable of speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, the AMV XP provides an operational range between 800 and 1,000 kilometers. Its modular protection package is designed to withstand ballistic attacks, mines, and improvised explosives, enhancing the survivability of troops in high-threat areas.
