Norway Joins CAVS as Lithuania Decides Large Order

CAVS 6×6 armoured vehicle | Photo: Patria

Norway has signed the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) Framework Agreement, allowing the country to move forward with the serial procurement phase for CAVS 6×6 armoured vehicles under the multinational programme led by Finland.

Separately, Lithuania has also decided to acquire 936 CAVS vehicles for an estimated €1.5 billion.

Norway joined the programme in 2025 alongside the United Kingdom. The agreement adds Norway to the existing framework participants, which already include Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

The CAVS programme was launched in 2020 through cooperation between Finland and Latvia. Its purpose is to develop and procure a common 6×6 armoured vehicle system for European and NATO countries with similar operational requirements.

According to programme participants, vehicles are already being delivered to Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Denmark, while deliveries to Germany are expected to begin. Patria vehicles are also reported to be operational in Ukraine.

Brigadier General Engineering Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Chair of the CAVS Programme Steering Committee and Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces Logistics Command, said, “Norway’s progress in the project further strengthens Nordic interoperability and regional operational capability, and supports the development of a technological and industrial base that is critical for security of supply.”

The framework agreement allows participating countries to use a common procurement structure and shared approaches to product development and life-cycle support.

Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Protected Mobility business area, said, “Norway’s signature of the CAVS Framework Agreement is another tangible step forward for multinational CAVS cooperation. The framework enables member nations to move fast, buy smart and sustain locally, delivering a consistent, interoperable protected mobility capability while strengthening security of supply through shared industrial cooperation.”

Patria also said that it is prepared to support Lithuania’s plans to acquire Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers with technology transfer through participation in the CAVS programme.

Lithuania has decided to buy a reported 936 Patria 6×6 vehicles as part of plans to build its national division by 2030. According to the Lithuanian defence ministry, the vehicles are intended to support air defence, logistics and battlefield medicine functions.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen stated, “I congratulate Lithuania and Defence Minister Roberta Kaunas on the decision to procure Patria 6×6 vehicles through the CAVS programme. Finland is proud to use its expertise to support our allied nations as they build stronger defence capabilities. This decision further strengthens the cooperation between our countries in the field of defence.”