Finland to test Patria’s northern-ready tracked vehicle in 2027

Finland’s Army will begin year-long field trials of Patria’s new armoured tracked vehicle in autumn 2027, Yle reports. The Kainuu Brigade will carry out the tests, including joint trials with the Swedish Army.

Patria developed the Trackx to meet the needs of troops operating in northern conditions. It is designed to transport soldiers and their equipment through forests, across load-bearing mires and through deep snow.

The Army’s requirements included range and speed, as well as protection from shrapnel, mines and small-arms fire. Patria says the vehicle has a range of 500 kilometres and a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour.

The vehicle can carry a crew and an equipped infantry squad, for a total of 12 people. It is 7.3 metres long, 2.95 metres wide and 2 metres high, with a combat weight of 15,000 kilograms. Its speed in water is 4 kilometres per hour.

The Army will receive the first vehicles from Patria’s pre-series in autumn 2027. Sweden will test its own pre-series of tracked vehicles at the same time. The Finnish purchase is valued at 13 million euros excluding VAT.