Revolutionizing Armored Transport: Patria Leads Europe’s Cutting-Edge Vehicle Initiative
Patria spearheads a defense industry alliance that has been chosen as part of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), an initiative by the EU. Within the framework of the EDIDP, emphasis will be placed on Ground Combat Capabilities (GCC) aimed at advancing next-generation armored vehicles and enhancing existing models. Patria serves as the industrial coordinator of the EDIDP-GCC-2020 and has established a consortium known as FAMOUS (European Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems) to fulfill the objectives of the programme. This alliance comprises 20 premier defense firms from various EU nations.
The EDIDP is a defense sector enhancement initiative designed to boost the competitiveness and innovative potential of the EU’s defense industry. It represents the inaugural EU-funded initiative dedicated to developing defense capabilities, with a financial allocation of €500 million. The selection for the EDIDP programme occurred at the conclusion of June 2021, with the actual project commencement slated for autumn 2021. The Ground Combat Capabilities project, under Patria’s leadership, will span two years.
The FAMOUS initiative aspires to cultivate future technologies and efficiencies that bolster ground combat capabilities in dimensions such as mobility, hybrid operations, power generation, and energy storage, along with security systems, situational awareness, robotics, C4I solutions, weaponry systems, and contemporary life cycle support solutions.
“Patria, as a global enterprise with exceptional expertise in defense across land, sea, and air, leads and orchestrates the FAMOUS initiative as the consortium coordinator. All 19 member companies, encompassing ground combat system integrators, along with high-tech mid-cap and small to medium-sized enterprises, will contribute invaluable expertise, technologies, and insights to the endeavor. A holistic amalgamation of diverse state-of-the-art land system capabilities will substantially enhance the performance and technology of armored platforms,” states Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
“This advancement programme holds significance not only for platform development but also as a distinctive and innovative strategy to evolve next-generation technology in various armored vehicles and systems. These concepts can be rapidly developed and implemented during the ongoing Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) within future system architectures, as well as being utilized in upcoming European armored vehicle systems. The development efforts are not only funded, but the products will ultimately reach practical application. This strategy will foster unity and thereby enhance coherence, standardization, and compatibility among different platforms within the EU,” articulates Jussi Järvinen, President of Patria’s Land business unit.
