Patria and KNDS prepare CAVS production for Germany

The Bundeswehr reported on its website on 16 July 2026 that the Patria 6x6 armoured vehicle was being tested at the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle (WTD) 41 technical centre for land-based vehicle systems in Trier before delivery to the troops. (Bundeswehr/Dirk Bannert)

Patria announced in a press release on 30 September 2026 that it and KNDS Deutschland discussed industrial cooperation on the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme during a visit to Freisen in Saarland, western Germany.

During the visit, Jyri Häkämies, chairman of the board of directors of Patria, Jussi Järvinen, executive vice president of Patria's Protected Mobility business area, Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland, and Christoph Cords, CEO of KNDS Deutschland Maintenance, reviewed KNDS's work packages, progress in establishing series production in Freisen, and opportunities to scale up local industrial capacity. The companies also discussed the Patria-KNDS partnership's opportunities for Saarland with Anke Rehlinger, minister president of Saarland.

Patria and KNDS Deutschland Maintenance signed a framework agreement on 11 August 2026 on the assembly and final integration of Patria 6x6 armoured personnel carriers for the Bundeswehr. The partnership is part of two procurement contracts signed by Patria and the Bundeswehr in December 2025. The contracts are for the acquisition of up to 876 Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles, with the first four versions being NEMO self-propelled mortars, mortar fire control variants, engineer vehicles, and armoured reconnaissance group transport vehicles.

Patria said on 30 September 2026 that the first series production vehicles will initially be manufactured in Finland and, from 2027 onwards, equipped with mission-specific systems and undergo final assembly at KNDS Deutschland Maintenance's Freisen site.