Why Ukraine Could Start Manufacturing the Finnish Patria AMV Instead of Its Domestic BTR-4?
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The Patria AMV is a versatile Finnish armoured military vehicle with an 8×8 chassis that can serve as a self-propelled platform for various weapon systems. The AMV features a modular architecture that allows for many different versions of this vehicle, including infantry transporters, self-propelled mortars, etc. Ukraine is buying quite a few Patria AMVs and may even manufacture them in the future. What about their domestic BTR-4?
In 2023 April 1 it was reported that Ukraine ordered 100 Patria AMVs from the Polish production lines and will pay for these machines with US and EU financial aid money. President Volodymyr Zelensky later specified that Ukraine would purchase 200 Patria AMVs in total.
Finland is now reportedly considering manufacturing the Patria AMV in Ukraine. Why not? Ukraine is an industrious country and it needs weapons. But, as Defense Express reminds us, Ukraine has its own similar machine called the BTR-4.
The Patria AMV XP, which is of most interest to Ukraine, weighs up to 32 tonnes. It is a universal self-propelled armoured vehicle with a good level of protection against anti-tank mines. The Patria AMV XP is normally armed with a 14.5 mm machine gun or a 30 mm autocannon. There are often anti-tank missiles there too. Finland also has a 120 mm mortar on the Patria AMV platform – it is that versatile.
The Patria AMV has a crew of up to 3 people and behind them, there is room for 8-12 troops. AMV has a very strong independent hydropneumatic 8×8 chassis and a powerful engine. The Patria AMV can accelerate to 100 km/h on the road, while in water it can reach about 10 km/h. Ukraine needs such weapons badly. But what about the Ukrainian BTR-4?
The BTR-4 Bucephalus is an infantry transporter developed in Kharkiv. It has some similarities to the Patria AMV – it also has an 8×8 chassis, carries 8 troops as passengers, and has a 3-person crew. Even the 30mm autocannon is similar.
However, at the moment there is no information about the production of BTR-4 – it is possible that it has stopped. It’s not even that important – if Ukraine has an opportunity to replace the BTR-4 with the Finnish Patria AMV, it probably should.
The BTR-4 has been in service only since 2014, but the suspension of this machine was developed in Soviet times. The BTR-4 is not as well protected. In addition, the suspension of this machine will not support much more weight, so the development of the BTR-4 into other systems is hardly possible.
Of course, the BTR-4 has its advantages. For example, the Ukrainian machine is cheaper. But that’s only because its technology is lagging behind. So, if Ukraine can welcome the production of the Patria AMV, it will be a smart decision. The BTR-4s did their job in the beginning of the Russian invasion but now Ukraine’s firepower is rapidly developing.
Written by Povilas M.