On 26 October 2023 in a ceremony at Kvarn the Swedish Defence Försvarets Materiel Verk (FMV) turned over the first Pansarterrängbil 300 armoured combat vehicles to the Swedish Armed Forces.
The Patgb 300A 6 X 6 was developed and is being built by Patria to address the requirements of both the Swedish and Finnish military under a contract issued in April 2023. These initial twenty vehicles are to be considered a pre-production quantity of the larger full-scale purchase of 350 vehicles programmed to begin in 2024 through 2033. The acquisition is under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) project with was initiated through an agreement between Finland and Latvia in 2020 and subsequently joined by Sweden in June 2020 and Germany in April 2023. Finland and Latvia have also already ordered vehicles.
The Pansarterrängbil 300 is intended as a general purpose armoured vehicle which can accommodate a variety of mission role configurations. The initial deliveries are troop transport with a crew of two or three and carrying up to ten troops. They have a combat weight of 24,000 kg (53,000 lb) with armoured STANAG 4569 Level K2 steel hull and Scania 294 kW (394 hp) diesel engine. Its payload capacity is 8,500 kg (18,700 lb) with a voluminous interior allowing for carrying three days combat provisioning. It is ideally suited for troop transport and combat support roles. Its capabilities including mounting autocannon up to 25/30mm, 120mm turreted mortars, and to be configured for command, combat engineering, signals/electronic warfare, surveillance, and technical roles. Options include increased protection levels up to K4 through its modular armour and either independent coil spring or hydropneumatic suspensions. This, as well as its all-wheel drive and front two axle steering offer exceptional mobility and manoeuvrability. It is fully swim capable with a water speed of 10 kmph using waterjet propulsion.
Content and production of the CAVS vehicles will be shared by the participating countries. The program is considered as an excellent example of multi-national cooperation and achieving both increased equipment standardization and the associated benefits of common logistics and support. Currently, over 711 of the 6 X 6 are on order for three of the CAVS participants with the German Bundeswehr has suggested it will place a future order to replace its M113 and TPz fleets which total over 1000 vehicles.
by Stephen W. Miller
