Patria orders hundreds of armoured vehicles from Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki

Finnish defence manufacturer Patria has signed a multi-year agreement with Valmet Automotive to produce hundreds of armoured 6×6 vehicles at its Uusikaupunki plant, the companies announced Monday at the Eurosatory defence and security trade fair in Paris.

The contract’s exact duration, order volumes, and pricing were not disclosed. Valmet Automotive CEO Pasi Rannus said the factory’s production capacity will scale to hundreds of vehicles annually to meet Patria’s needs.

The deal extends a December agreement on armoured vehicle manufacturing. Patria’s 6×6 model is already in use in Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Denmark, and Germany, with some armoured vehicle models remaining in production for decades. Jussi Järvinen, head of Patria’s vehicle business, noted that production of the company’s heavier eight-wheeled vehicle has continued in Poland for 30 years.

“I won’t predict decades ahead, but we are prepared and aim for long-term cooperation with Valmet,” Järvinen said.

The partnership will employ around 240 people in Finland, including subcontractors, per 100 vehicles. While no new hires are planned, Rannus said furloughed workers will be recalled for training this autumn, with full production expected by early 2027.

Valmet’s Uusikaupunki plant previously assembled Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 2013 until last year, when production ended, leading to layoffs and furloughs. In April, the company announced it would also recall furloughed staff for bus production.