Patria TRACKX, an intrepid Finnish armored vehicle with Spanish participation

Finland is a country that has developed a highly effective military industry due to its delicate strategic position and proximity to Russia.

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One of the best examples of this Finnish military industry is Patria Group, a company majority-owned by the Finnish government that specializes in making a wide variety of practical and affordable armored vehicles. Its repertoire includes models such as the Patria XA-300, the AMV 8x8, the ARVE self-propelled howitzer, and the AMOS, NEMO, and TREMOS mortar vehicles. In addition to other aspects of defense, Patria Group is also delving into the aeronautical industry, participating in the A400M, NH90, and F-35 programs.

In 2024, Patria Group launched the Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems (FAMOUS) program, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) designed to improve the mobility and performance of ground troops. Patria Group is the coordinating company for this program, in which other European companies participate, including three Spanish firms: Escribano, Indra, and Piedrafita. This program has a budget of €132 million, of which €9 million is provided by the European Defense Industrial Development Program (EDIDP), financed by the European Commission, and €95 million by the European Defense Fund (EDF).

On September 9, Patria unveiled the TRACKX, an armored personnel carrier (APC) that is "engineered to navigate the toughest terrains silently and swiftly, ensuring smooth operations in any condition," the company said. The vehicle was developed in conjunction with the other companies involved in the Patria FAMOUS program. "This vehicle aligns perfectly with the high-level requirements established by the member nations, and it offers an optimal solution for various applications that demand high mobility standards for military units." A video showcasing its features can be seen here:

The TRACKX is clearly designed to cope with the challenges the Finnish Army faces on its own soil, with snow and ice for a significant portion of the year and muddy terrain due to thawing. However, it is an environment shared with other European countries, so the vehicle's capabilities may be useful to others. Patria Group explains:

"Designed to survive extreme conditions, the focus has been on optimizing everything. This vehicle has undergone extensive trials over the past few years on snow, muddy soils, forests, and road networks. Key guidelines include exceptional wide rubber tracks, a low, centrally located center of gravity and independent, adjustable hydropneumatics suspension for each road wheel, nearly flat bottom without torsion bars. This future all-terrain vehicle will revolutionize the market as a modern, affordable alternative to current light tracked vehicles, targeting the 13–18-ton weight class."

The TRACKX's appearance is very reminiscent of the Soviet MT-LB APC. In fact, a few weeks ago a Ukrainian defense website described the TRACKX as the "Finnish MT-LB". The MT-LB is an armored personnel carrier that appeared in the late 1960s and is still in service with many armies. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was used by both sides. The Finnish Army still has almost 400 MT-LBs in service in various variants: troop carrier, technical support, command vehicle, ambulance, and transmissions.

Patria Group makes no secret of its intentions with the TRACKX: "With an empty weight of 12 tonnes and a payload of 3.5 tonnes, this vehicle serves as an armoured personnel carrier equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun, suitable for various environments. It replaces aging M113 and MTLB tracked vehicles, offering high tactical and operational mobility with modern ergonomics and situational awareness."

Interestingly, this Finnish light APC comes at a time when some countries are replacing their M-113s with larger, heavier vehicles. The United States has chosen the AMPV, an infantry fighting vehicle based on the M-2 Bradley. Spain has opted for vehicles such as the VCR Dragón and VCZAP Castor. The experience of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has put the focus on protection against mobility, but in Finland, with such hostile terrain, they are opting for the latter, offering a cheaper vehicle than those mentioned.

I'm not sure which of the two options should take priority. Undoubtedly, a better protected vehicle offers higher survival rates against threats such as portable anti-tank weapons, landmines, improvised explosive devices, and certain caliber machine guns. However, losing mobility makes you an easy target and is fatal in snowy, icy, or muddy terrain, as the experience of the war in Ukraine shows. Time will tell if the TRACKX is successful in the market. So far, Patria vehicles are selling well in the Nordic, Baltic, and Central European countries, where they have environments similar to those in Finland.

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Photos: Patria Group.