Finland's Patria and Valmet Automotive have signed a long-term agreement to manufacture Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers, which are widely used in Europe and have been tested in Ukraine, at Valmet Automotive's plant in Uusikaupunki. The enterprise is expected to produce hundreds of vehicles per year.
According to statements from the companies, the new agreement is based on an agreement signed in December 2025, under which the transfer of technology was arranged. Production is expected to reach full capacity in early 2027.
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It is emphasized that technology transfer for manufacturing has been part of the company's business strategy for several decades. This time, the company is drawing on the expertise of Valmet Automotive, which operates in various sectors, including industrial manufacturing, automation, and the automotive industry.
From Defense Express we would like to note that orders for the Patria 6x6 have already exceeded 2,000 units, so these orders must now be fulfilled. At the same time, new contracts are expected, and deliveries under those contracts will need to be made within a reasonable timeframe.
Valmet Automotive has expertise in developing various solutions for high-tech manufacturing. The plant in Uusikaupunki also has vehicle assembly lines, where armored vehicles will now be manufactured.
Overall, this is consistent with a recent trend of greater involvement of the civilian industrial sector, especially the aerospace industry, in the production of military equipment. The issue is being discussed in the U.S. and Spain. In France, Renault will produce drones, while Rheinmetall is converting civilian facilities for defense production.
It should be noted that eight countries in the region have already adopted the Patria 6x6, under the European CAVS programme, which includes localized production: Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Lithuania. Lithuania plans to procure up to 936 units, while Germany intends to acquire several thousand in total.
These armored personnel carriers were also supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Latvia financed and manufactured them in less than a year. They were spotted in service with the 3rd Assault Brigade, where they were equipped with a set of mesh structures to protect against drones.
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