Denmark orders 129 Patria 6x6 vehicles from Finland to support joint operations with European allies.

On July 14, 2025, Denmark formally entered into the final phase of its participation in the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. This step included the simultaneous signing of the programme’s three concluding documents: the Research and Development (R&D) Agreement, the Framework Agreement, and the Life Cycle Management (LCM) Agreement.
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As part of the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, Denmark confirmed the procurement of 129 Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles, designated also as XA-300, from the Finnish company Patria. (Picture source: Patria)

These agreements were signed following Denmark’s earlier adhesion to the programme in April 2025 through the Technical Arrangement with the other participating countries. As part of this latest development, Denmark confirmed the procurement of 129 Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles, designated also as XA-300, from the Finnish company Patria. The order, valued at approximately 1.9 billion Danish kroner (around €247 million), is funded through the Danish government’s Accelerationsfonden. A limited number of these vehicles are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2025 to support initial training and familiarization, while the main deliveries are expected to begin in 2026 and will contribute to the rebuilding and modernization of the Danish Armed Forces.

The Patria 6x6 armored vehicles will be allocated to both the light infantry battalion and the heavy brigade. Their deployment will support multiple military roles including troop transportation, command post operations, communications, electronic warfare, and medical evacuation. The Patria 6x6 is configured to accommodate two or three crew members and up to ten fully equipped soldiers. It is powered by a DC09 Scania in-line five-cylinder diesel engine producing 294 kW and 1,870 Nm of torque. The vehicle has a maximum payload of 8.5 tonnes, an operational range of 700 kilometers, a maximum road speed exceeding 100 km/h, and can reach 8 km/h in amphibious mode. Standard protection is compliant with STANAG 4569 Level K2/M2a/b, with available upgrades to Level K4/M4a/b. The layout places the driver and commander in the front, the engine behind the driver, and the troop compartment in the rear, with a passage on the right side for internal access. Suspension options include independent coil springs or hydropneumatic systems, and the chassis incorporates structural elements derived from the Patria AMVXP platform.

The CAVS programme began in 2019 as a cooperative initiative between Finland and Latvia with the goal of developing and procuring a standardized 6x6 armoured vehicle system. Sweden joined in 2022 during the research and development phase, and Germany followed in 2023 by signing the Technical Arrangement and subsequently joining the Framework Agreement. As of 2025, participating nations include Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. The programme remains open to other European states with similar equipment needs, subject to approval by current participants. Patria leads the platform’s development and has received cumulative orders exceeding 850 vehicles, of which more than 200 have been delivered. Latvia has ordered over 250 vehicles, including 56 command and control variants. Finland has ordered 161 units, including an initial batch of three pre-series vehicles for evaluation. Sweden has ordered 341 vehicles under the designation “Pansarterrängbil 300,” with deliveries scheduled through 2030. In early 2025, Ukraine ordered 42 vehicles, with first deliveries expected in summer 2025. Germany has requested a binding offer for an initial order of 300 vehicles, with a long-term plan to procure up to 1,000 units.

The Patria 6x6 is modular and adaptable for a wide range of missions, including command and control, logistics, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and fire support. It can be fitted with a variety of armaments, including machine guns, 25 mm or 30 mm automatic cannons, and the Patria NEMO 120 mm turreted mortar system. The vehicle was launched at Eurosatory in 2018, and subsequent variants have been presented at DSEI 2019 and 2021. The expected service life of the platform exceeds 30 years. In 2025, Germany and Patria signed a €50 million contract for the development and qualification of mortar variants under the CAVS framework. The agreement includes two self-propelled mortar prototypes equipped with the NEMO system and a command vehicle prototype. These systems will be integrated with Germany’s ADLER command and fire control network and prepared for digital land-based operations. The project also involves secondary armament integration, compliance with road traffic regulations, and documentation for electromagnetic compatibility and logistics. ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH will support integration tasks. Serial production is projected for 2026 or 2027, with initial deliveries anticipated by the end of 2029.

Local industrial participation is a core component of the CAVS programme. Most vehicles are produced or assembled within the territories of participating countries. In Latvia, Patria 6x6 vehicles are manufactured in Valmiera at a facility capable of producing up to 160 units annually. In Germany, Patria collaborates with DSL (part of KNDS Deutschland), Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG), and Jungenthal Wehrtechnik (JWT) to localize production. Denmark is expected to apply a similar model to utilize its domestic industrial base. The programme aims to reduce overall procurement and maintenance costs through economies of scale, reinforce supply chain security, and improve operational compatibility between participating militaries. The integration of local industries also supports broader defense-industrial objectives in the European Union, contributing to workforce development, technological standardization, and national resilience.

In November 2024, the European Commission allocated €60 million through the European Defence Industry Reinforcement Instrument through Joint Procurement (EDIRPA) to support the CAVS programme. This funding supports the development, acquisition, and life cycle management of the 6x6 armoured vehicle system. The project is jointly administered by the Finnish Defence Forces, the Latvian Ministry of Defence, Sweden’s Försvarets Materielverk, and the German Bundeswehr. The EDIRPA grant is part of broader efforts to address fragmentation in EU military procurement and promote strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on non-European suppliers. The modularity and mobility of the Patria 6x6 vehicle, combined with its capacity to fulfill multiple operational roles, support these aims by offering a flexible and interoperable solution suitable for collective European defense. The programme is considered a long-term effort to standardize equipment across EU and NATO members.

Denmark’s involvement in the CAVS programme is aligned with its national defense investment strategy, which allocates 50 billion kroner (approximately €6.5 billion) for the years 2025–2026 to enhance military capabilities. An additional 10 billion kroner (approximately €1.3 billion) annually is earmarked for the period 2027–2033 to cover expenses related to personnel, infrastructure, and procurement. Denmark’s procurement of the Patria 6x6 vehicles contributes to these objectives by supporting the modernization of ground forces with a proven and interoperable vehicle platform. The Patria 6x6 will be featured at Denmark’s largest defense industry exhibition, DALO Industry Days, scheduled to take place in Ballerup on August 20–21, 2025. The event is organized by the Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), and will highlight Denmark’s ongoing integration into the CAVS framework and its broader commitment to European defense collaboration.