Japan has officially rolled out its first mass-produced Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV), designed to replace the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) aging Type-96 personnel carriers. The milestone event was marked by a ceremony at the Muroran Plant of Japan Steel Works, attended by the JGSDF Chief of Staff. The plant will handle domestic production under a licensing deal with Finnish defense company Patria, which was chosen in 2022.
The first vehicle will be delivered to the JGSDF within this fiscal year. According to the service, the modular platform offers high mobility and robust protection, ensuring safe personnel transport even in hostile environments. The vehicle is also expected to support a wide range of missions, including international peacekeeping deployments.
The JGSDF selected the Patria AMV XP 8×8 variant, and an agreement signed in 2023 enables local manufacturing. The initial model was assembled in Finland, while Japanese production is scheduled to begin in September 2025. Measuring 8.1 meters in length, 2.8 meters in width, and 2.4 meters in height, the platform has a combat weight of 32,000 kilograms and a payload capacity of 15,000 kilograms.
Performance-wise, the AMV XP can travel beyond 100 kilometers per hour and has an operational range of 800 to 1,000 kilometers. Survivability is enhanced by a modular protection suite against mines, IEDs, and ballistic threats, ensuring the vehicle meets modern battlefield demands.
