KNDS Deutschland and Finland’s Patria have reaffirmed their industrial cooperation on the multinational CAVS 6×6 armoured vehicle programme, according to KNDS. Executives from both companies met Saarland Minister-President Anke Rehlinger in Freisen on 30 September.
Production set to begin in Freisen
KNDS Deutschland Maintenance and Patria signed a framework agreement on 11 August 2026 to manufacture the PATRIA 6×6 armoured personnel carrier. Finnish production will supply the first series vehicles. From the end of the year, workers at Freisen will fit them with specific kits and complete final assembly.
Political backing
Patria Chairman Jiri Häkämies and KNDS Deutschland CEO Florian Hohenwater led the working visit. Rehlinger said the order creates “industrial value, qualified jobs, and long-term perspectives” for the site. She said the state supports expanding Freisen, placing skilled workers and building a network of Saarland suppliers, particularly from the automotive sector.
Programme status and scaling
Christoph Cords, CEO of KNDS Deutschland Maintenance, presented the company’s CAVS work packages and updated the delegation on series production setup. The talks also covered scaling potential. Cords described cooperation with Patria, the Federal Ministry of Defence and BAAINBw as “exemplary” and on equal footing.
Hohenwater said KNDS is taking a new path as system integrator. Its subsidiary contributes to CAVS as a subcontractor to Patria. He said the arrangement will strengthen the European programme, which matters to the Bundeswehr.
Jussi Järvinen, Patria’s Executive Vice President Protected Mobility, said cooperation is progressing as planned. He said Patria’s 6×6 expertise and technology transfer will build local capacity at KNDS, improve delivery reliability and support European defence production.
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