Kongsberg Defence and Patria Turreted Mortar Solutions

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) and Patria Oyj have formed a teaming agreement to provide turreted mortar solutions for future US Army mortar programmes. As a center-piece of the agreement, the companies will promote and produce the 120mm Patria Nemo, turreted, remote-controlled mortar system in the US.

The teaming will provide an unrivalled combination of KONGSBERG’s U.S. engineering and production capability, and Patria’s long experience and innovation as provider of world-leading mortar systems. In May 2020, Patria entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for the Nemo mortar system with the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Armaments Center.

“KONGSBERG and Patria have a long history of working together and a relationship that was strengthened in 2016 with KONGSBERG’s minority stake in Patria”, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS Pål Bratlie said. “This teaming agreement for the Nemo mortar system is a fantastic means for our companies to join forces to provide solutions to the warfighter for the turreted mortar mission”.

“KONGSBERG’s track record of high-end weapon system production is highly regarded, this along with their established manufacturing facilities and US wide supply chain made teaming with KONGSBERG a logical choice for Patria. Together, we provide the most advanced, protected and mobile 120mm mortar system produced alongside Remote Weapon Stations and Medium Calibre Turrets in the Johnstown, PA, facility”, says Jussi Järvinen, President of Patria’s Land Business Unit. Patria has more than 80 years of experience in designing and delivering mortar systems. Nemo fires multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) fire missions with up to 6 rounds impacting simultaneously on target. The turret along with an armoured chassis protect the crew against ballistic, mine and IED threats and battlefield contaminants within the protection level of the platform. The low weight and compact turret is easily installable on a tracked chassis, vessel or wheeled armoured vehicles in the 6×6 and 8×8 class.  –shp/mgm