Germany has received its first five Finnish Patria 6×6 wheeled armored personnel carriers. Since the contract was signed in December, the first vehicles were delivered in just two months, highlighting the high pace of the project and Germany’s joining the ranks of operators, including Finland, Latvia, and Ukraine.
According to reports from the Bundeswehr and Patria, these are pre-production vehicles, which in the photos do not feature any modules and only have a standard machine gunner’s seat. Most likely, they will be used for testing and development.
The first Patria 6×6 APCs for the Bundeswehr / Photo credit: Bundeswehr
It should be noted that Germany chose Patria 6×6 to replace its Fuch wheeled armored personnel carriers back in 2024. At the same time, Germany joined the European CAVS program, which aims to localize Finnish armored vehicles. In other words, the project started before the purchase agreements were signed.
Two contracts worth over €2 billion were signed in December 2025. Up to 876 Patria 6×6 APCs are to be delivered in four variants, including for engineering, armored reconnaissance, and as a base for the NEMO mortar system.
NEMO mortar system based on Patria 6×6 APC / Photo credit: Patria
It is expected that armored vehicles manufactured at factories in Finland and Latvia will be delivered initially. Production will gradually move to Germany, with the first German-built vehicle expected in 2027.
Overall, wheeled armored personnel carriers are experiencing strong sales and are set to soon become the most popular in Europe. Currently, nearly 2,000 units have been ordered, and over 300 have already been delivered to customers.
Patria 6×6 APC / Photo credit: Patria
Its popularity is supported by both its low price and large-scale production involving local industry participants. Currently, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Norway have joined the CAVS project, and some vehicles have also been transferred to Ukraine as part of military aid.
It should be noted that the Bundeswehr estimated its own need for such APCs at up to 4,000 units, which will be gradually purchased by 2035. At the same time, some of them will be equipped with Protector RS4 combat modules.