: Another Army updates to light wheeled armor - on 20 December, the Polish Ministry of Defense that they would buy 690 APC/IFVs from Finnish manufacturer Patria Vehicles. The $1.2 billion contract was the largest in Finnish arms exporting history. Vehicles in question will be Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV) series, with the final contract to be signed in the next few weeks. The order includes 313 combat vehicles with the Italian OtoMelara Hitfist turret with 30mm Bushmaster 2 weapon system and 377 varients. The majority of the vehicles will be in 8x8 configuration, with a small number of 6x6 's.

The deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2004 - 2013. Most part of the manufacturing activities will be gradually transferred to Poland during the first four years of the program execution. Patrias Vehicles Business Unit has submitted an offset proposal to the Polish Ministry of Economy covering the value of all items to be imported to Poland for this program. Patria AMV 8x8 was successfully tested in Poland during the past summer alongside with two other competitors. - Adam Geibel

Photos online at:
http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/armoured/patria_vehicles2/
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/xa200/