A Patria CAVS with the RS4 RWS from Kongsberg in Arctic conditions.

Germany and Sweden order Kongsberg RWS for CAVS

Kongsberg will supply its PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations for the German and Swedish CAVS 6×6 programmes. This order highlights a growing trend where nations seek simpler, cost-effective vehicles for rear echelon mobility.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 7, 2026.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has finalised an agreement with Patria for the delivery of several hundred PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Stations (RWS), according to a February 6 press release. 

This procurement, valued at approximately €140 million (£116.64 million/$150.84 million), supports the ongoing expansion of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) fleet within Germany and Sweden. The contract includes the potential for substantial follow-on orders throughout 2026 and subsequent years as the multinational programme continues to mature, the press release states.

The PROTECTOR RS4 units delivered under this specific contract represent a modernised version of the Nordic configuration currently utilised by several European armed forces. These systems feature advanced integrated sensors and multi-weapon capabilities, allowing operators to engage targets from within the safety of the armoured hull. 

Furthermore, the stations offer the modularity required to integrate Counter-UAS functionalities, a critical requirement for defending against the rising threat of loitering munitions and small aerial drones on the modern battlefield.

This development follows Germany’s significant commitment to the platform, having previously contracted Patria to provide more than 800 units to replace its ageing Fuchs fleet. To support this industrial requirement, Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) is currently establishing a new factory in Flensburg to facilitate local assembly and long-term maintenance.

By selecting the RS4 as the standard weapon station, the CAVS nations are ensuring high levels of interoperability and simplified logistics across their respective vehicle pools. This standardisation is expected to lower lifecycle costs while providing a reliable defensive capability for logistics and support units operating behind the front lines. It also speeds up delivery as Kongsberg can focus on producing a single variant, rather than wrestling with several national standards.

Cavs programme update

The CAVS programme has demonstrated rapid expansion, evolving from a bilateral Finnish-Latvian initiative into a major European framework for protected mobility. To date, nearly 2,000 vehicle orders have been received across the participating nations.

  • Denmark: Having officially joined in early 2025, Denmark has placed an order for 129 vehicles to modernise its wheeled armoured fleet.
  • Finland: The lead nation has currently ordered a total of 131 vehicles, with serial deliveries already well underway for its ground forces.
  • Germany: In December 2025, Germany signed two landmark serial contracts valued at over €2 billion ($2.16 billion/£1.67 billion) for the acquisition of up to 876 vehicles in four different variants.
  • Latvia: As a founding member, Latvia has a supply contract for over 200 vehicles, with a local production facility in Valmiera already supporting deliveries through 2029.
  • Norway: Norway joined the programme in September 2025 by signing the Technical Arrangement and is currently moving through the next phases to define its specific mobility requirements.
  • Sweden: Following an initial order of 20 units, Sweden significantly increased its commitment in 2024 and 2025, bringing its total planned procurement to 415 vehicles.
  • United Kingdom: The UK joined alongside Norway in September 2025; a manufacturing partnership with Babcock has been established to produce the 6×6 vehicles domestically for the British Army.
  • Ukraine: While not a formal member of the CAVS framework, Ukraine operates the platform through donations from Latvia, including 42 units specifically adapted for special operations.

Calibre comment: The role of protected mobility in the age of drones

In a recent analysis for Calibre Defence, Lt Col (Retd.) James de St John-Pryce from NMS UK explored how protected mobility must evolve to survive. He argued that while the proliferation of drones has made traditional armour more vulnerable, the requirement for physical protection remains absolutely essential for mission success.

Modern vehicles must now balance physical steel plating with advanced electronic warfare suites and remote weapon stations capable of kinetic interception. De St John-Pryce noted that the primary purpose of protected mobility is to ensure that troops arrive at their objective fit to fight. This necessitates a move away from heavy, cumbersome platforms toward agile vehicles that can be easily upgraded with the latest defensive technologies. The success of modular platforms like the CAVS suggests that flexibility and adaptability are now the most valued traits in modern land procurement strategies. You can read the article here: The role of protected mobility in the age of drones – Calibre Defence

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The lead image shows a CAVS with an RS4 RWS during Patria’s Arctic event in 2025. Credit: Patria.

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