Finland’s Patria and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have agreed to join forces on securing work on future US turreted mortar programs.
The teaming will see Patria build mortar systems at Kongsberg’s US remote weapons systems (RWS) manufacturing facilities.
The announcement follows Patria’s cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, which was announced in May this year. The CRADA will determine the feasibility of incorporating Patria’s turreted, breech-loaded 120 mm mortar weapon system in US mortar carriers.
This agreement was a continuation of US Army’s effort to provide Armored and Stryker brigade combat teams with rapid, precise indirect and direct fire capability where the operating crew is well protected, and their physical burden is significantly reduced.
The remote-controlled Patria Nemo 120mm mortar system is capable of both direct and indirect fire on the move. It can also execute multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) fire missions with up to 6 rounds per MRSI mission.
Patria and Kongsberg have agreed to leverage Kongsberg’s existing RWS manufacturing facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, eyeing upcoming turreted mortar programs for the US armed forces. Kongsberg produced MCT-30 remote turrets for the US Army’s Stryker program in Johnstown and in May 2020 was selected to do the same for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle program.
“Kongsberg’s track record in high-end weapon system production in the US is highly regarded making Kongsberg a logical choice to manufacture our systems for the US armed forces. We are now ready to provide the US with the world’s most advanced, protected and mobile 120mm mortar system and to do so from within the US,” says Jussi Järvinen, president of Patria’s Land Business Unit.
“Kongsberg and Patria have a long history of working together and a relationship that was strengthened in 2016 with Kongsberg’s minority stake in Patria,” says Pål Bratlie, executive vice president Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.
