Japan’s defense ministry has selected the Patria-built AMVXP 8×8 as the next wheeled armored personnel carrier 8×8 vehicle for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
The Finnish proposal includes a license for the manufacturing of the vehicles in Japan, with a contribution to the local economy and technology development.
The Patria AMVXP 8×8 vehicles will be replacing the Type-96 8×8 armored personnel carrier vehicles which are currently in service by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Patria has worked on the WAPC program since 2018 and has also established a local subsidiary, Patria Japan Ltd., to support its activities in Japan. The next step in the program will be license negotiations, which will start immediately, according to the company.
With this decision, Japan is becoming the 9th customer for the AMVXP 8×8. Patria recently scored a similar export success for the model in Slovakia, which signed a deal for 76 of the vehicles in August this year.
“The selection of Patria AMVXP 8×8 and our proven licensing model is great proof of Patria’s capability to deliver the latest technology and to enable local security of supply. Patria AMVXP 8×8 has successfully proven its superior performance, as well as its mobility and protection, in various crisis management missions, and Japan will be the ninth user country of Patria’s AMV vehicle family,” Janne Räkköläinen, senior vice president of market area world at Patria, said.
The AMVXP 8×8 relies on modularity of components and is adaptable for a range of versions without changing basic vehicle systems. It is available in three different models, a basic model provides the platform for following variants: armoured personnel carrier (APC), infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), command vehicle, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, anti-tank guided missile vehicle (ATGM), armoured repair and recovery vehicle (ARRV), and finally, the 120 mm Patria Nemo mortar system.
The high roof model provides extra space at the rear of the vehicle (34 cm higher than the basic model), which is ideal if the vehicle is used as a command, C4I, ambulance or workshop vehicle. The heavy weapon platform has been optimized to carry large-caliber weapon systems such as the 120 mm AMOS mortar system or the 105/120 mm mobile cannons (MGS).
