Sisu XA-180
Encyclopedia
The Patria Pasi is a Finnish made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier
(APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces
. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. The basic design was based on easy usage, simple basic structure and low cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration is similar to most wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 versions are fully amphibious
while the XA-203 is not.
The XA-180 was originally manufactured and marketed by the Finnish company Sisu Auto
but later variants were marketed by the Finnish company Patria
and are known as Patria XA series. The Vehicle's widely known nickname "Pasi" (also a common given name of Finnish men) stems from the Finnish name "panssari-Sisu" (armoured Sisu). The main superstructure is mainly manufactured from 6 to 12 mm of armour
steel
and the bottom is mine
strengthened, the front windows are bullet-resistant and equipped with protective hatches. The vehicle has continuous six wheel drive and good capabilities for off-road driving. It can take inclines up to a maximum of 60°.
The XA series has no standard armament, but is equipped with a rotating turret-structure for installation of light/heavy machine gun
s or autocannon
s. It also has 8 BMP
style firing ports on the sides and rear. Therefore passengers, usually a squad of infantry, can fire their weapons from the cover of the armor.
The XA series is popular in peacekeeping
missions due to its mobility, non-aggressive looks, and good protection against mines and improvised explosive device
s (IED). The vehicle also offers a good combination of armament, comfort, mine protection, protection against shrapnel and small calibre fire, road speed, short time of learning how to drive, and an acceptable terrain mobility. Compared to other similar vehicles, like the Fuchs and BTR-80
, it offers more internal space.
The six-wheeled XA-series is no longer in production. The improved design is Patria XA-360, or AMV. More than 1,200 Pasis were produced.
, Bosnia
, Croatia
, Eritrea
, Golan Heights, Iraq
, Kosovo
, Lebanon
, the Republic of Macedonia
, Namibia
, Liberia
, Somalia
and Chad
.
Sisu XA-185:
Upgraded version, carries crew of 2 and 18 troops. Has a more powerful engine and improved power transmission. Used as ambulance in the Norwegian Army
.
Sisu XA-186:Upgraded armour. Armoured and machine assisted gun turret (.50 BMG
). Can not swim because of the heavy armour. Empty weight ca 19 tonnes. Engine and transmission same as XA-185.
Sisu XA-200: The 200 series looks a little different from older variants due to increased armour. It lacks amphibious capabilities but can wade through water that is up to 1.5 m deep. The improved armour protects the passengers against up to 14.5 mm
small arms fire. It is also equipped with modern optical aids like periscopes and night vision. The armor upgrade was initiated after the realisation that the previous armor was inadequate, even modern armor-piercing 7.62 mm
ammunition could pierce the older XA-180 and XA-185 models in certain areas. The XA-202 was originally developed for Communications and Command. The XA-203 was made as a temporary replacement for XA-185, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service.
There are numerous sub-versions of the different main versions, e.g. armored personnel carriers, ambulance, communications, surface-to-air missile carrier, radar vehicle, headquarters, fire-fighting and anti-tank versions among others.
There are five original customers of the Pasi: Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, while a large number have been leased to other military forces of the world.
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
(APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces
Finnish Defence Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces are responsible for the defence of Finland. It is a cadre army of 15,000, of which 8,900 are professional soldiers , extended with conscripts and reservists such that the standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform...
. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. The basic design was based on easy usage, simple basic structure and low cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration is similar to most wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 versions are fully amphibious
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
while the XA-203 is not.
Development
In 1980, Sisu produced an XA-180 prototype for Finnish Army tests. It competed against two other prototypes, but was declared the winner of the trials in 1983. On 22 December 1983 the Finnish Army ordered a first batch of fifty XA-180s, of which nine were reserved for UN duties. The vehicle proved quite successful and more orders were soon to follow.The XA-180 was originally manufactured and marketed by the Finnish company Sisu Auto
Sisu Auto
Sisu Auto is a Finnish truck company. Its name comes from the Finnish word sisu meaning guts, grit and determination.Sisu Auto subsidiary company SISU Defence produces high mobility tactical vehicles for military use.-History:*Sisu established in 1931...
but later variants were marketed by the Finnish company Patria
Patria (company)
Patria is a Finnish company which produces a wide range of defence, aviation and aerospace technology. It carries on the firearms tradition of Valtion Kivääritehdas and the aerospace tradition of Valtion lentokonetehdas.-Patria Aviation:* NH90* Mini-UAVs...
and are known as Patria XA series. The Vehicle's widely known nickname "Pasi" (also a common given name of Finnish men) stems from the Finnish name "panssari-Sisu" (armoured Sisu). The main superstructure is mainly manufactured from 6 to 12 mm of armour
Armour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
and the bottom is mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
strengthened, the front windows are bullet-resistant and equipped with protective hatches. The vehicle has continuous six wheel drive and good capabilities for off-road driving. It can take inclines up to a maximum of 60°.
The XA series has no standard armament, but is equipped with a rotating turret-structure for installation of light/heavy machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
s or autocannon
Autocannon
An autocannon or automatic cannon is a rapid-fire projectile weapon firing a shell as opposed to the bullet fired by a machine gun. Autocannons often have a larger caliber than a machine gun . Usually, autocannons are smaller than a field gun or other artillery, and are mechanically loaded for a...
s. It also has 8 BMP
BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
style firing ports on the sides and rear. Therefore passengers, usually a squad of infantry, can fire their weapons from the cover of the armor.
The XA series is popular in peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
missions due to its mobility, non-aggressive looks, and good protection against mines and improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s (IED). The vehicle also offers a good combination of armament, comfort, mine protection, protection against shrapnel and small calibre fire, road speed, short time of learning how to drive, and an acceptable terrain mobility. Compared to other similar vehicles, like the Fuchs and BTR-80
BTR-80
BTR-80 is an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in the Soviet Union. Production started in 1986 and replaced the previous versions, BTR-60 and BTR-70 in the Soviet army. -Description:The Soviets based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC...
, it offers more internal space.
The six-wheeled XA-series is no longer in production. The improved design is Patria XA-360, or AMV. More than 1,200 Pasis were produced.
Operational service
The Sisu Pasi has seen service in several conflict areas, including AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
, Golan Heights, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
, Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
and Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
.
Versions
Sisu XA-180: Original six wheeler, carries crew of 2 and 16 troops. Empty weight ca 12 tonnes.Sisu XA-185:
Upgraded version, carries crew of 2 and 18 troops. Has a more powerful engine and improved power transmission. Used as ambulance in the Norwegian Army
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
.
Sisu XA-186:Upgraded armour. Armoured and machine assisted gun turret (.50 BMG
.50 BMG
The .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
). Can not swim because of the heavy armour. Empty weight ca 19 tonnes. Engine and transmission same as XA-185.
Sisu XA-200: The 200 series looks a little different from older variants due to increased armour. It lacks amphibious capabilities but can wade through water that is up to 1.5 m deep. The improved armour protects the passengers against up to 14.5 mm
14.5 x 114 mm
The 14.5×114 mm is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries....
small arms fire. It is also equipped with modern optical aids like periscopes and night vision. The armor upgrade was initiated after the realisation that the previous armor was inadequate, even modern armor-piercing 7.62 mm
7.62 x 54 mm R
The 7.62×54mmR is a rimmed rifle cartridge developed by the Russian Empire and was introduced as a service cartridge in 1891. Originally designed for the bolt-action Mosin–Nagant rifle, it was used during the late Tsarist era and throughout the Soviet period to the present day...
ammunition could pierce the older XA-180 and XA-185 models in certain areas. The XA-202 was originally developed for Communications and Command. The XA-203 was made as a temporary replacement for XA-185, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service.
There are numerous sub-versions of the different main versions, e.g. armored personnel carriers, ambulance, communications, surface-to-air missile carrier, radar vehicle, headquarters, fire-fighting and anti-tank versions among others.
Operators
- Austrian Army, in UNDOF service.: Danish Army
-
- Leased eleven XA-185s (including ambulance versions) for use with UN troops.: Estonian Army
- XA-180EST, former XA-180 of the Finnish army, which have been modernized. Quantity 60 vehicles. Sold without armament. Estonia showed interest to obtain another 30 units in 2008, but abandoned the deal, because the asked price was too high and the use of vehicles would have been restricted to Estonian territory only.
- In 2010, Estonia purchased an additional 81 units of XA-188 from the Netherlands.: Finnish ArmyFinnish ArmyThe Finnish Army is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces.Today's Army is divided into six branches: the infantry , field artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, engineers, signals, and materiel troops.-History of the Finnish Army:Between 1809 and 1917 Finland was an autonomous part of...
, Finnish NavyFinnish NavyThe Finnish Navy is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Navy employs 2,300 people and about 4,300 conscripts are trained each year. Finnish Navy vessels are given the ship prefix "FNS" simply short for "Finnish Navy Ship"...
, Finnish Air ForceFinnish Air ForceThe Finnish Air Force is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its peacetime tasks are airspace surveillance, identification flights, and production of readiness formations for wartime conditions...
, Finnish PoliceLaw enforcement in FinlandLaw enforcement in Finland falls under the jurisdiction of the Finnish Police, a national police agency.The Finnish Police is divided into 24 local departments and three national agencies...
. 425 XA-180s and 185s, 148 XA-200s - XA-180, most upgraded to 185 specs, and configured with special communications equipment
- XA-185, the most common version, some equipped with TOWBGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
turret, most of the Finnish vehicles are armed with a 12.7 mm NSV machine gun. - XA-203, the last generation APC replacing the oldest vehicles of the XA-185 series.
- XA-202 command and signals vehicle, configured with special communications equipment
- XA-181 built for Crotale NGCrotale missileThe Crotale EDIR is an all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft...
independent air defence unit - XA air defence radar unit, equipped with Jantronic J-1000 radar
- Ambulance
- Units used by the Finnish police are on loan from Finnish military to police special unit and used in extreme situations: In UN service.: The Irish ArmyIrish ArmyThe Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
has two XA-180s, formerly as training vehicles for soldiers preparing for service in South Lebanon: Dutch ArmyRoyal Netherlands ArmyThe Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
and Netherlands Marine CorpsNetherlands Marine CorpsThe Korps Mariniers is the marine corps and amphibious infantry component of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The marines are trained to operate anywhere in the world in all environments, under any condition and circumstance, as a rapid reaction force. The Korps Mariniers can be deployed to a given...
. 90 units. - XA-188 GVV (early 200-series variant) Used by army and marines, equipped with GPS and satcom, armament MG or .50cal
- XA-188 GWT Ambulance
- Will soon sell 81 Pasis to Estonia; they are being replaced by BoxersBoxer MRAVThe Boxer is a German-Dutch multirole armoured fighting vehicle designed to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. It is produced by the ARTEC GmbH industrial group, and the programme is being managed by OCCAR...
.: Norwegian ArmyNorwegian ArmyNorway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
. 50 vehicles. - XA-186 used by the Telemark BattalionTelemark BattalionThe Telemark Bataljon is a mechanised infantry unit of the Norwegian Army. It was established in 1993, and is a part of Brigade Nord and stationed at Rena, Hedmark...
, Hans Majestet Kongens GardeHans Majestet Kongens GardeHans Majestet Kongens Garde is a battalion of the Norwegian Army. The battalion has two main roles; it serves as the Norwegian King's bodyguards, guarding the royal residences and Akershus Fortress in Oslo, and is also the main infantry unit responsible for the defence of...
and Basesett 1 located at Ørland Main Air StationØrland Main Air StationØrland Main Air Station is situated at the mouth of the Trondheimsfjord in the municipality of Ørland, in the center of Norway. Ørland is operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force and is an important air base not only for Norway, but also for NATO...
. 50 vehicles.: Swedish ArmySwedish ArmyThe Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
. 200 vehicles. - XA-180S, mainly in UN service
- XA-202S, as command and control vehicles, Swedish special variant
- XA-203S, General purposed APCs, armed with 20 mm gun: A large number of Sisu XA-180 vehicles is used by UNIFIL forces in southern LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
-
See also
- Patria Pasi variantsPatria Pasi variantsPatria Pasi variants, which were the choice of the defence forces of Finland for the armoured personnel carries to replace the already obsolete Soviet BTR-60's was a result of the commercial competition between two Finnish companies, a tractor manufacturer Valmet and the lorry manufacturer Sisu,...
- List of AFVs
- MilitaryImages.Net Pictures and discussion about Norwegian Sisu XA-186
- Danish army XA-185
- XA-200 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles information & images
- Pindad PanserPindad PanserThe Anoa is a 6x6 armoured personnel carrier developed by PT Pindad of Indonesia. The vehicle is named after the Anoa, which is a type of buffalo indigenous to Indonesia...
- ANOA 6X6 APS