As Finland’s leading defense and technology company, Patria has earned global recognition for its expertise in armored mobility, aerospace solutions and cutting-edge defense systems. With decades of experience and a proven track record in international partnerships, Patria has become a trusted name among allied nations seeking reliable, modular and future-ready defense solutions.
That reputation has now brought Finland and Japan closer than ever before. In early September, preparation for delivery of the first Patria-designed AMV XP armored vehicle was completed by Japan Steel Works, with delivery to Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force expected to take place thereafter. This milestone marks a historic step in bilateral defense cooperation.
The locally manufactured vehicle represents a significant step beyond procurement. Through its partnership with JSW, Patria has introduced licensed production, technology transfer and localized training to Japan — elements that align with Japan’s priorities of defense modernization and resilient supply chains.
“This is our firstborn baby that actually shows what this is all about,” said Patria Group President and CEO Esa Rautalinko. “This is not just a project, it is a process. Every schedule, every decision-making point, everything was executed exactly as communicated previously.”
Japan’s selection of the AMV XP — the latest generation of Patria’s 8×8 modular armored vehicle — has significantly enhanced the company’s international standing.
“You can’t have much higher praise and recommendations than being selected by the Japan Self-Defense Forces,” Rautalinko said. “Everybody knows the prowess of Japan when it comes to high-quality engineering and high demands.”
You can’t have much higher praise and recommendations than being selected by the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Everybody knows the prowess of Japan when it comes to high-quality engineering and high demands.
Esa Rautalinko, Patria Group President and Chief Executive Officer
Patria has expanded its operations in step with shifting global security dynamics, channeling significant investment into production capacity and delivery capabilities worldwide. The endorsement of the GSDF has further accelerated interest from other nations, with “Japan mentioned by most potential customers as one universal deciding factor,” according to Rautalinko.
The partnership also reflects the cultural alignment between Finland and Japan.
“Talk less, do more. Listen more than you talk and try to understand,” Rautalinko explained, noting that shared values have helped deepen cooperation. Finland’s recent presidential visit to Japan, which Rautalinko also attended, further underscored these affinities and highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration.
Patria’s collaborative ethos extends across Europe as well, where its Common Armoured Vehicle System program has grown from a Finland-Latvia initiative into a multilateral framework involving Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
“It’s not just about money. It’s about sustainability and resilience,” Rautalinko observed. The same principles underpin Patria’s work with Japan, where long-term planning, efficiency and interoperability are essential to the defense partnership.
Looking ahead, the upcoming delivery marks both a defense milestone and a gateway to broader economic and technological cooperation.
“There are so many things that Japan has to offer to Finnish companies and vice versa, not just in defense,” Rautalinko said. “We can strengthen our economies and importantly, our national securities, where we do share similar types of cultures.”
With production lines now operational and the first vehicles prepared for delivery, Patria and JSW are setting a new standard for strategic cooperation, demonstrating how shared values and complementary capabilities can shape the future of Finland-Japan relations.
