WARSAW, Poland — Slovenia has postponed its planned acquisition of approximately 100 AMV XP armored vehicles from Finnish manufacturer Patria, citing technical upgrades and political considerations, according to government sources. The Cabinet confirmed the purchase will not proceed until after the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for March 2026.
The original letter of intent with Finland was signed in February 2025, following the cancellation of a 2022 contract for 45 Boxer vehicles from the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). The Patria AMV XP was selected to modernize Slovenia’s medium battalion battle group and medium combat reconnaissance battalion, enhancing operational mobility and survivability on the modern battlefield.
Reports indicate several factors influenced the delay. Slovenian officials highlighted the need for improved force protection, including anti-drone capabilities, and greater participation of domestic industry in turret production. Local observers also suggested that the high cost of the acquisition — estimated at €695 million ($811 million) — could affect public support.
Matej Tonin, a former Slovenian defense minister and current European Parliament member, criticized the delay, emphasizing lost time and rising costs. “We have lost three to four years, and every year acquisitions of military equipment become more expensive,” he said. Tonin urged the government to continue prior procurement efforts rather than restarting planning from scratch.
A spokesperson for Slovenia’s Ministry of Defense told Defense News that the project is “ongoing and has not been halted,” but that the vehicles will undergo modernization to align with current combat doctrines. “Due to changes in military conflicts and combat doctrine on modern battlefields, which also require the use of drones and anti-drone protection for effective operation, the Ministry of Defence has decided to upgrade the 8×8 vehicles with modern modular capabilities,” the spokesperson said.
The delay underscores the challenges small European nations face in balancing modernization needs with political and public scrutiny. Once procured, the Patria AMV XP fleet is expected to significantly boost Slovenia’s armored vehicle capabilities and interoperability with NATO allies.
