Finland’s defense, security and aerospace group Patria and Croatia’s Duro Dakovic Holding d.d. (DDH) said they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to agree on common efforts in sales of Patria AMV vehicles to case-by-case-selected third countries.
Patria is owned by the state of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS).
DDH, as a group, would have a significant role in the production of the sold vehicles, the companies said March 29.
Potential customer countries will be identified during the envisaged co-operation.
The contract for delivery of armored wheeled vehicles to Croatia’s Ministry of Defence is in full serial production at DDSV, a subsidiary of DDH. Patria provided all needed technology. DDSV has delivered more than 20 armored wheeled vehicles made in Croatia.
“Patria is very pleased with the performance of DDSV’s serial production and this Memorandum of Understanding is a natural continuation of the relationship,” said Seppo Seppala, president of Patria Land Systems. “Patria believes that new armored wheeled vehicle market potential could be covered and won together with DDH supported by the Republic of Croatia. The Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen Patria’s leading position as the supplier of armored wheeled vehicles on international market.”
Additionally, the Patria Group said March 23 it would strengthen its position in Norway and in the Nordic helicopter maintenance area by buying the Norwegian NAC Maintenance AS (NACM), which specializes in helicopter and aircraft maintenance. Under the deal, the company name will change to Patria Helicopters AS.
Patria aims to expand the NACM operations and serve the military and civilian operators especially in northern Norway.
“Patria is very pleased to have an already operating and professional Norwegian company as a basis for a new unit,” said Lassi Matikainen of Patria. “We want to expand the current maintenance operations, recruit new skilled personnel from Norway and to create stability to the development of operations in the long run.”
Patria has operated in Norway for a long time as Patria and the Norwegian state own the defense group Nammo AS with equal stakes.
The Norwegian Armed Forces has purchased XA wheeled armored vehicles from Patria. Also, Patria maintains Norwegian helicopters. There also is Nordic cooperation in the NH-90 project in connection with NORDILS as well as in helicopter engine assembly.