Patria Unveils ARVE 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery for Finnish Navy’s Coastal Defence

Finland’s defence industry took a major step forward as Patria introduced its latest self-propelled artillery system, the ARVE 155mm, designed to enhance the Finnish Navy’s coastal defence. This new system, revealed at the company’s Arctic Event, is expected to replace Finland’s aging fixed coastal artillery with a more mobile and powerful solution.

Reviving Coastal Artillery with Modern Firepower

For decades, Finland relied on towed heavy artillery to protect its coastal areas. During the Cold War, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) used Soviet-era 152mm ML-20 howitzers before transitioning to the 130mm M-46 field guns in the 1970s. These remained the backbone of Finland’s mobile coastal defence until the mid-2000s when the entire coastal artillery arm was disbanded. However, fixed 130mm guns continued to serve in coastal fortifications. Now, with a new requirement for mobile coastal artillery, Finland is shifting towards a NATO-standard 155mm system that offers greater flexibility and firepower.

ARVE 155mm: A Practical and Affordable Solution

Patria’s ARVE integrates its existing towed 155mm gun-howitzer onto an 8×8 Sisu E13TP all-terrain truck. This design provides enhanced mobility while maintaining performance levels similar to traditional towed artillery. The prototype, equipped with a 52-calibre barrel, boasts a maximum range of 40 km and can fire three rounds within the first 15 seconds. Though manually reloaded, its simple and robust design aligns with Finland’s focus on cost-effective, reservist-friendly equipment.

Compared to high-end competitors such as BAE Systems’ Archer, Elbit’s Atmos, KNDS’ CAESAR, and KONŠTRUKTA-Defence’s ZUZANA 2, the ARVE may not have the same level of automation or advanced features. However, its affordability and durability make it a strong contender, particularly for Finland’s defence strategy, which values rugged, easy-to-maintain systems over costly, complex alternatives.

Patria’s Strong Ties with the Finnish Defence Forces

Patria has a long-standing relationship with Finland’s armed forces, supplying most of the country’s artillery systems over the years. While Finland has also acquired self-propelled K9 Thunder howitzers from South Korea, Patria remains a dominant local supplier. The company is confident that its experience and existing production capabilities will play a crucial role in securing the coastal artillery contract.

One of Patria’s key strengths is its ability to manufacture new artillery pieces from scratch, a capability it has maintained despite not producing a complete gun in over two decades. Over the past decade, the company has supplied millions of euros worth of spare parts, including critical components like gun barrels. This ensures that Finland could adopt the ARVE without taking away artillery from the Army’s towed batteries.

Future Enhancements and Coastal Defence Applications

While the ARVE is based on existing artillery technology, Patria has identified several key areas for future improvements. These include servo-controlled gun-laying, an advanced fire-control system, and enhanced loading mechanisms. Such upgrades would be particularly useful for coastal defence, where artillery must engage fast-moving naval targets with precision and speed.

The introduction of the ARVE 155mm marks a significant step in Finland’s evolving defence strategy. As the Finnish Navy looks to modernize its coastal artillery, Patria’s offering provides a blend of mobility, reliability, and affordability—ensuring that Finland’s coastline remains well-protected in the years to come.