In the next five years, Slovenia will acquire 106 Patria armored vehicles worth 700 million euros.
Slovenian Defense Minister Borut Sajovic signed a letter of intent in Brussels today with his Finnish colleague Antti Hakkanen, based on which the Finnish Ministry will provide support for the planned procurement of eight-wheeled vehicles from Patrija.
Today’s framework agreement, according to Sajovic, “defines the cooperation between the two ministries and the factory that produces these defense protective vehicles”.
“This enables a lot of clarity, comparability and transparency,” said Sajovic after signing the letter of intent with his Finnish counterpart.
As he explained, the ministry will carry out the procurement in two phases. In the first phase, 53 Patria armored vehicles will be acquired in the period 2025-2028, which will equip the medium combat-reconnaissance battalion. In the second phase, another 53 vehicles will be procured for the medium battle group in the period 2027-2030.
The approximate amount of the project of 700 million euros, he said, includes the purchase of vehicles that will be fully operational.
“It is about a vehicle that will be placed in the barracks, on the road or at the training ground,” Sajovic pointed out.
He pointed out that the vehicles will ensure the safety of members of the Slovenian Army.
Sajovic and Hakkanen signed the letter of intent after the Slovenian government agreed to it seven days ago. Previously, at the end of January, it made a decision to continue the process of procurement and delivery of combat vehicles with eight wheels from the Finnish company Patria.
Slovenia is buying Patria eight-wheelers after Robert Golob’s government gave up the purchase of Boxer armored personnel carriers, AA writes.
Photo: British Army
