Finland buys over 100 mobile mortar systems from Patria

Finland has agreed to buy more than 100 Patria TREMOS mortar systems, with an option for hundreds more, defense manufacturer Patria announced.

Deliveries under the serial production contract begin this year and will continue through 2028, Patria said. The Finnish Army designates the system the 120 KRH M3. Finland already received a smaller pre-series batch of TREMOS systems in 2025 ahead of the new order.

TREMOS is a mobile mounting system that lets an existing 120 mm or 81 mm mortar barrel and breech be installed on a wheeled or tracked vehicle instead of towed or carried by hand. Patria developed the system with the Finnish Army and the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, first unveiling it in October 2024. Because it reuses existing barrels, ammunition and firing tables rather than requiring a new weapon altogether, the system is meant to simplify training and logistics for a military that already operates mortars.

The system’s recoil technology absorbs the shock of firing without needing separate ground support legs, which Patria says lets crews open fire within 60 seconds of arriving at a position and drive away immediately after firing their last round. It weighs about 2,800 kg (6,170 pounds), fires 12 to 15 rounds a minute, and can hit targets more than 7 km (4.3 miles) away depending on ammunition. The integration module can be mounted on 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 or light tracked vehicles and can be moved between different vehicles.

“Patria TREMOS is a unique and innovative mortar concept developed to meet the mobility requirements of modern warfare,” said Mikko Leino, executive vice president of Patria’s Defence and Weapon Systems business area. “We expect strong international market potential for the system and are proud to have reached this milestone together with the Finnish Defence Forces, whose collaboration has been excellent throughout the development process. Having Finland as the launch customer is an important milestone for our weapon system business and creates a strong basis for future success.”

Patria will build the systems at its Finnish production facilities, drawing on a supply network of dozens of companies. The company estimates the contract will generate around 130 person-years of work.