Japan takes delivery of first Patria AMV

The Patria AMV XP is designed to offer greater protection, payload, and performance compared with the baseline AMV. (Patria)

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has taken delivery of its first Patria 8×8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) XP, the Finnish company announced on 22 September. The vehicle was built by Patria's local partner on the programme, Japan Steel Works (JSW).

Patria said in a press release that delivery of the first AMV followed an official handover ceremony in early September at JSW's manufacturing facility in Muroran in Hokkaido, Japan. Local production of the AMV is enabled through a 2023 technology transfer agreement between Patria and JSW.

Patria provided no additional details about AMV deliveries to the JGSDF, and the company had not responded to Janes questions at the time of publication.

However, Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) documents show that the JGSDF has plans, up until 2026, to acquire more than 100 AMVs under the JGSDF's Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (WAPC) programme to replace the service's ageing fleet of Komatsu Type 96 8×8 APCs.

The documents show that Japan ordered an initial batch of 26 AMVs in 2023 for JPY13.6 billion (USD92 million). Japan ordered an additional 28 AMVs in 2024 for JPY20 billion and will procure 28 vehicles in 2025 for JPY22.5 billion. MoD budget documents also show that the JGSDF plans to procure 23 AMVs in 2026 for JPY17 billion.

Additional orders are expected. The MoD has previously told Janes that it planned to procure about 140 AMVs, although the total number would depend on funding.

While not commenting on details about deliveries, Patria indicated in its press release that it is pursuing other opportunities in Japan in partnership with local industry.