Armoured automobile, European CAVS programme. Credit score: Instagram @patria_group
Denmark has formally joined the Finnish-led Widespread Armoured Car System (CAVS) programme, making it the fifth taking part nation alongside Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany.
The announcement, made as we speak on April 1 – not an April Fools! – permits Denmark to have interaction in joint procurement of 6×6 armoured autos developed by Finnish defence firm Patria.
The CAVS programme is a major European defence collaboration. It focuses on the event and deployment of armoured autos tailor-made to satisfy shared army wants.
Strengthening Denmark’s nationwide defence
In response to the Finnish Ministry of Defence, Denmark plans to amass 130 Patria autos, with the whole contract worth estimated at DKK 1.9 billion (roughly €250 million). A smaller batch shall be bought this yr, adopted by a bigger order subsequent yr.
“The CAVS programme is a hit story for cooperation between the Finnish Defence administration and the defence business,” mentioned Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. He praised Denmark’s swift accession, noting that the programme’s growth displays “efficient export promotion measures” and robust Nordic collaboration.
Funding for the CAVS programme
The CAVS programme has additionally acquired €60 million in funding from the EU’s European Defence Business Reinforcement via Widespread Procurement Act (EDIRPA). This monetary assist, Häkkänen defined, will help the administration of the programme and improve cooperation amongst member nations.
Patria, answerable for coordinating improvement of the 6×6 platform, sees Denmark’s entry as important to bolstering European safety. “The consistently evolving European safety panorama has resulted in a excessive want for multinational collaboration,” mentioned Mats Warstedt, Senior Vice President of Patria’s Market Space Nordics, as reported by Defence Business Europe. He added that the programme is an “glorious instance for creating widespread capabilities in a fast and cost-effective method.”
Greater than 850 Patria autos have already been ordered throughout the programme, with over 200 delivered. A number of automobile variants are in improvement, together with the Armoured Personnel Provider (APC).
European defence
Denmark’s inclusion opens doorways to additional joint contracts and cooperation, reinforcing its defence functionality and interoperability with neighbouring allies. Because the programme stays open to extra European companions with related defence wants, the CAVS initiative may very well be an indication of stronger, extra unified European defence procurement within the years to return.
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