Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicles for Japanese GSDF

AMV XP Japan

Patria’s Technology Transfer Manager, Janne Pulkkinen, confirmed that its AMV XP 8×8 will enter license production at Japan Steel Works in Hiroshima, Japan, by September 2025 for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to replace the current Type 96 armored personnel carriers. A team from Japan is now completing in-depth production training in Finland. The AMV was selected by the JGSDF in 2022 following an intensive evaluation of other candidates.

The AMV XP is a modular wheeled vehicle developed by Patria to provide mobility and protection in a range of combat and combat support roles. It is in service with Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, South Africa, Croatia, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden, including successful licensed production. It saw combat service with Polish forces in Afghanistan and is now being employed by Ukraine. The vehicle has become known for its on- and off-road capabilities, as well as favorable ergonomics and overall reliability. Variants include APC, IFV, C2, ambulance, reconnaissance, mortar carrier, command, ATGM, and assault gun vehicles. The initial JGSDF order is for 82 vehicles, with a possible total reported requirement of between 400 and 800 systems.

The AMV XP production in Japan will initially focus on vehicle assembly using parts and subassemblies shipped from Finland. Plans are, however, to identify, qualify, and transition to locally sourced and manufactured parts as part of the license agreement. In comments regarding Patria’s announcement on the projected production date, company Director Markus Louhivuori shared that “discussions are ongoing with Japan Steel Works toward cooperating on other AMV versions, including the Patria NEMO turreted mortar system and several specialty vehicles.” Patria is displaying at the DSEI show being held in Tokyo.

The AMV XP procurement contract is part of the JGSDF’s Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (WAPC) program. It reflects a larger acquisition of wheeled armored combat vehicles as the force builds its ground combat maneuver capabilities. The development and production of the 105mm cannon-armed 8×8 Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle (MCV) first entered service in 2016 and remains in production through at least 2025. It is now being followed by other variants classified as the Type 24 under the Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle program.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been tasked with designing and producing three different variants of the Type 24, based on the Type 16 chassis with the same engine, transmission, and suspension. These include an Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipped with a 30mm Bushmaster Mk.44 automatic cannon in a manned turret, a self-propelled mortar vehicle, and a Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle. These vehicles are expected to be assigned to the JGSDF’s reconnaissance and rapid deployment units alongside the Type 16 MCVs.

Funding has been allocated for 32 vehicles in each of the FY24 and FY25 defense budgets. The Mobile 120mm Mortar (MM) and turreted Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle (AWCV) were unveiled by the JGSDF in November 2024. Projected Type 24 requirements include 150 AWCVs, 100 MMs, and 120 reconnaissance vehicles.

These acquisitions reflect a broader shift by the JGSDF toward emphasizing mobility and firepower, including the ability to rapidly deploy forces by land, air, and sea in response to threats. Wheeled armored vehicle-equipped units can respond more quickly over long distances and leverage both air and amphibious lift capabilities to reinforce or react to territorial incursions.

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Stephen W. Miller
A former US Marine ground combat and aviation officer instrumental in the adoption of wheeled armoured vehicles and manoeuvre warfare. He has extensive hands-on experience in development, acquisition, fielding, support and employment leading land, naval, and air programmes in the US and twenty-four other countries. [email protected]