Japan Welcomes Its First Patria AMV XP 8×8: A New Era for Self-Defense Forces!

The inaugural Patria AMV XP 8×8 armored vehicle under the Japan Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (‘WAPC’) 8×8 initiative has been handed over by Japan Steel Works (‘JWS’) to the Japan Self-Ground Defense Forces (JSGDF) in Japan. The transfer took place during a ceremonial event on September 2, 2025, at JSW’s Muroran facility in Hokkaido, Japan. Patria engaged in the local WAPC initiative in August 2023, leading to extensive collaboration, including the transfer of technology to Japan.

“Japan has now emerged as the ninth nation to utilize Patria AMV vehicles, integrating into the global AMV network. This remarkable achievement signifies genuine and effective collaboration between Patria, Japan Self-Ground Defense Forces, and Japan Steel Works, yielding positive outcomes. Ongoing discussions with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and domestic firms are exploring fresh prospects, and Patria is fully dedicated to long-term strategic collaboration with Japan,” states Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President, Protected Mobility of Patria.

Janne Räkköläinen, Vice President, Global Market Area of Patria elaborates: “The Patria AMV 8×8 XP has been chosen to substitute the JSGDF’s fleet of Type-96 8×8 vehicles, offering exceptional mobility, protection, and modularity to address a diverse range of JSGDF requirements. We are optimistic that Japanese troops will be highly pleased with the performance of the latest generation following the rollout of the initial armored vehicles.”

The Patria AMV XP 8×8 is an advanced modular and resilient armored wheeled vehicle delivering outstanding firepower, protection, and mobility. Patria’s combat-tested AMV series has accumulated expertise from various missions and has become the reliable choice for safeguarding nations and service members. The Patria AMV XP provides a cost-efficient, future-ready solution for evolving demands where national sovereignty is crucial.

Technology transfer and local production strategies are integral to Patria’s business model. In addition to the current technology exchange with Japan, Patria has already successfully executed technology transfers as part of industrial involvement and local manufacturing for AMV 8×8 in countries like Poland, Croatia, and South Africa. Presently, Patria is also engaging in technology transfer for the Slovakian AMV 8×8 program.