XA-180: Valmet 611 DSBJA diesel XA-200: Valmet 612 DWIBIC (EURO 2), 6 in-line cylinders, turbo-charged, intercooled diesel XA-180: 236 hp (176 kW) XA-200; 271 hp (202 kW) at 2100 rpm, max torque 1080 Nm at 1600 rpm
Power/weight
17.48 hp/tonne
Suspension
Parabolic leaf-springs with hydraulic shock absorbers
Operational range
850 km
Maximum speed
~105 km/h on land 9 km/h in water (XA-180/185)
The Patria Pasi (earlier known as the Sisu Pasi) is a Finnish-made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces. The first variant was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. It was designed to operate with ease of use, simple structure and low-cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration of the Pasi is similar to most other wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 are fully amphibious, while other variants are not.
In 1980, Sisu produced an XA-180 prototype for Finnish Army tests. It competed against two other prototypes, and was declared the winner of the trials in 1983. In December 1983, the Finnish Army ordered a first batch of fifty XA-180s. Nine were reserved for UN duties. The vehicle proved quite successful and more orders followed.
The vehicle's widely known nickname "Pasi", also a common given name of Finnish men, stems from the Finnish designation "panssari-Sisu" (English: armoured Sisu). The main superstructure is mainly manufactured from 6 to 12 mm of armoured steel. 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 Pasi has no standard armament, but is equipped with a rotating turret structure for eventual installations of light/heavy machine guns or autocannons. It 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 Pasi is popular in peacekeeping missions due to its mobility, non-aggressive appearance, and good protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IED). The vehicle 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. It offers more internal space compared to other similar APCs like the Fuchs or the BTR-80.
The early variants of the Pasi (such as the XA-180 and XA-185) were manufactured by Sisu Auto until 1997, when its defense subsidiary Sisu Defence Oy was acquired by Patria.[1] The later variants (such as the XA-202 and XA-203) were then manufactured by Patria until 2003, when the then new Patria AMV entered serial production.[2] By then, over 1,300 Pasis had been produced.
The Pasi has been used by the Finnish police in sieges and SWAT operations.
In 2018, Estonia deployed five XA-188s to Mali as part of Estonia's contribution to Operation Barkhane.[3]
In 2022, Finland reportedly donated an unknown number of XA-180/185s to Ukraine as part of a military and humanitarian aid package following the escalations of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.[4] At least ten have been lost in combat.[5]
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 an ambulance in the Norwegian Army.
Patria XA-186
Upgraded armour. Armoured and equipped with machine-assisted gun turret (.50 BMG). Cannot swim because of the heavy armour. Empty weight ca 19 tonnes. Engine and transmission same as XA-185.
The 200 series looks a little different from earlier 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 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 variant was made as a temporary replacement for the earliest XA-185s, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service.
In addition to standard variants, there are numerous sub-versions for specific missions, e.g. ambulance, command & communications, electronic warfare, air defence, radar surveillance, firefighting and anti-tank variants among others.
Operators
A map of Pasi operators in blue, with former operators in redAn Estonian XA-180 in AfghanistanA Finnish XA-202A Swedish XA-203 of South Scanian Regiment (P 7), Scania, SwedenA Dutch XA-188 in Afghanistan
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.
XA-180, most upgraded to 185 specs, and configured with special communications equipment
XA-181 built for Crotale NG independent air defence unit
XA-182, equipped with Jantronic J-1000/Giraffe Mk IV radar
XA-185, the most common version, most of the Finnish vehicles are armed with a 12.7 mm NSV machine gun. One prototype equipped with the BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile system.
XA-202 command and signals vehicle, configured with special communications equipment
Also the following versions exist:
VIPA (ViestiPasi, communication vehicle using the YVI-2, Yhtymän Viestijärjestelmä, "brigade and corps level communication system")
ELSO (ELektroninen SOdankäynti, ELINT, electronic warfare) sub-version of VIPA.
EPA (EsikuntaPAsi, brigade command post vehicle)
KOPA (KOmentoPAsi, battalion command post vehicle)
XA-185, in service with several units primarily in the ambulance configuration.
XA-186, in service with the HMKG and Basesett 1 located at Ørland Main Air Station. In 1994–1996, 22 wagons of the XA-186 model were manufactured in Norway. Of these, 18 were crew cars, two control cars, one ambulance and one repair vehicle. Norway is the only operator of the XA-186 worldwide.[8]
XA-203N, formerly in service with the 2nd Battalion. 30 vehicles converted to MRSP (ambulance configuration) after 2017.
Pansarterrängbil XA-180/XA-185, XA-180(/185) armed with 12,7x99mm HMG. 70 vehicles delivered from 1988, mainly in UN service.[10]
Pansarterrängbil 202, XA-202S as command and control vehicles, Swedish special variant[citation needed]
Pansarterrängbil 203A, XA-203 equipped with the turret from Pbv 302 APC's, armed with a 20 mm gun, in 7 configurations like ambulance (unarmed), AT-missile, CBRN-detection, field repairs and so forth.[11]
Pansarterrängbil 203B, the turret is replaced with the weapon-station Protector Nordic.
Ukraine: Ukrainian Army. Unknown number of vehicles donated during the Russo-Ukrainian war.[12][13] As of February 2024 it has been visually confirmed that 5 units have been destroyed, 2 abandoned and 1 captured by Russian forces.[14]
UN: A large number of Sisu XA-180 vehicles are used by UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.
Denmark: The Danish Army leased eleven XA-185s, including ambulance versions, for use with UN troops, 4 were used in Bosnia, 4 in Kosovo, 3 for training purpose in Denmark.[16][17]
Ireland: The Irish Army had two XA-180s, formerly as training vehicles for soldiers preparing for service in South Lebanon. Retired in 2012.
^"Agility on the street and off road". Patria. 17 June 2015. Production of the six-wheeled Pasi was discontinued in 2003 when the new 8x8 Patria AMV entered serial production, but the faithful Pasi will continue to serve for decades to come.
