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Why Standard NATO Armor Isn’t Enough—and How Ukraine Is Fixing It: Patria 6×6
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Finland’s Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers are known for solid performance and fast production timelines, Ukrainian troops have already modified the vehicles to meet the harsh realities of drone-dominated warfare, Ukrainian defense outlet Defense Express reported on January 5.
The Patria 6×6 APCs—manufactured in Finland and supplied to Ukraine via Latvia—have been upgraded by soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade with additional anti-drone protection, a step that has become increasingly necessary amid Russia’s constant use of attack UAVs.
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Photos released by the brigade’s press service, showing live-fire training by the 2nd Assault Battalion, reveal the newly modified vehicles. According to Defense Express, this unit is likely among those that received the Lithuanian-built APCs, which were delivered in full just 10 months after the initial pledge.
In its baseline configuration, the Patria 6×6 offers STANAG Level 2 protection, meaning it can withstand 7.62mm small-arms fire and mine or IED blasts equivalent to up to six kilograms of explosives. Defense Express notes that this standard configuration is likely what was originally transferred to Ukraine.
While such protection may have been sufficient in earlier conflicts, the widespread use of loitering munitions and FPV drones has fundamentally changed battlefield survivability—especially for APCs tasked with transporting infantry close to the front line.
To counter this threat, the Patria 6×6 vehicles operated by the 3rd Assault Brigade have been fitted with soft anti-drone nets mounted on a dedicated frame. Unlike rigid cage armor, these flexible nets increase the likelihood that an incoming attack drone will ricochet or fail to detonate before striking the vehicle, Defense Express explains.
A specialized overhead superstructure was also installed to support the nets and provide protection from top-down attacks—one of the most common drone strike profiles. The design still allows troops to exit the troop compartment or cab by simply pushing the netting aside.
In terms of firepower, no advanced remote weapon station or cannon system is visible in the images. Defense Express suggests the APCs are likely operating with a basic turret configuration, featuring a manually operated machine-gun mount for the gunner.
Overall, the modifications represent a practical and effective adaptation of the Patria 6×6 to the realities of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to Defense Express, these upgrades significantly improve vehicle survivability and could serve as a template for future modifications, particularly as other countries—including Germany—have already begun procuring the same APC platform.
Earlier, Latvia transferred 21 Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, completing the delivery of all 42 vehicles pledged.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
