AMOS, the advanced mortar system

The Nordic countries have cooperated to produce a significant development in close support mortars. AMOS, a turreted twin barrel, smooth-bore 120 mm mortar system, has been jointly developed by Hagglunds Vehicle AB, the Swedish company, now a subsidiary of Alvis, and the Finnish company Patria Vammas Qy, for installation on a wide range of light armoured vehicles and combat boats. It has been developed to replace traditional ground-based mortars as battalion artillery.

The AMOS turret system features:

• High rate of fire because of its twin barrel concept
• Direct fire capability
• Rapid deployment due to instrumentation for vehicle location and attitude, well suited for shoot & scoot tactics
• Ballistic protection against infantry weapons and splinters for crew. Add-on-Armour is available as an option
• Large on-board ammunition supply
• Capable of firing all 120 mm smooth-bore Modular system ammunition

Patria Hagglunds Qy, the joint venture company comprising Patria lndustries Oy and Hagglunds Vehicle AB, is demonstrating AMOS at Eurosatory 2000

The company received its first order for AMOS in June 1999, when the initial contract was signed by the Finnish Defence Forces for the self-propelled to be delivered in autumn 2000 and tested during the winter. The Finnish Defence Forces intend to take AMOS into service with the Regines Brigades for a tactical test programme that is scheduled to get under way in 2003.

Current procurement plans envisage the Swedish Armed Forces purchasing a new protected mortar system. The programme is planned to be co-ordinated with that from Finland within the Nordic defence co-operation framework.

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