In a new chapter of European military cooperation in armored vehicle development, the United Kingdom and Norway have formally joined the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, which promotes the development of 6×6 wheeled armored combat vehicles manufactured by the Finnish company Patria. With this accession, both countries gain access to the results of the program’s research and development (R&D) agreement, which brings together seven NATO members under a common framework of technological and operational standardization.
The CAVS Program was established in 2020 at the initiative of Finland and Latvia, with the aim of developing a 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle system that would meet the needs of participating armies. Over the years, the project has expanded with the inclusion of Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom, forming a cooperative network that strengthens the continent’s industrial base and defense capacity. Finland leads the program and, together with Patria Land Oy, effectively acts as the coordinating nation and primary supplier.
In this context, it is worth noting that Patria and the British group Babcock International signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2025 with the aim of introducing the Patria 6×6 platform into the British Army. The agreement includes the design and development of the system adapted to United Kingdom requirements, combining Finnish engineering with British industrial capacity for large-scale production.
Currently, the program has received nearly 2,000 orders, and more than 300 units have already been delivered to Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Denmark. In September 2025, a multinational management office dedicated exclusively to CAVS was inaugurated in the Finnish city of Tampere to coordinate expansion and ensure efficient management of joint development, production, and procurement processes. The open nature of the program allows for the inclusion of new European countries and NATO members with similar technical requirements, reinforcing its collaborative character.
Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen highlighted that CAVS “is becoming the most significant modern armored vehicle program in Europe,” emphasizing that its impact lies not only in technological modernization but also in strengthening interoperability among allies. According to Häkkänen, the initiative “increases readiness for cooperation at multiple levels and enhances the defense capability of the entire continent.”
The project’s success is also reflected in its practical deployment: the Patria 6×6 CAVS vehicles have been adopted or tested in real operational scenarios. In November 2025, Ukraine received a new batch of 21 CAVS 6×6 vehicles delivered by Latvia as part of industrial and military cooperation agreements with Finland and other European partners. These deliveries, carried out at the military base of Ādaži, strengthened the mobility, rapid deployment, and protection capabilities of Ukrainian mechanized units, which currently operate more than 40 vehicles of this type.
Each Patria 6×6 CAVS vehicle stands out for its high mobility and durability in harsh terrain, with a top speed of 100 km/h thanks to its turbocharged Scania DC 09/4-T diesel engine. Its protection level meets NATO STANAG 4569 standards, offering armor against mines, fragmentation, and machine gun fire. Configurations may include 40 mm automatic grenade launchers or remote weapon stations equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns, making them versatile platforms for troop transport, reconnaissance, or command-and-control missions.
With the addition of the United Kingdom and Norway, the CAVS Program consolidates its position as one of Europe’s most ambitious industrial and military cooperation projects, strengthening collective defense and interoperability within NATO in the field of armored vehicles.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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