Patria NEMO
NEMO (from "NEw MOrtar") is a single barrelled 120 mm remote-controlled mortar turret currently being developed by Patria Land Oy in Finland. It is a lighter version of the AMOS mortar system, which has been in use within the Finnish Defence Forces since 2013.[1] The NEMO can be fitted to most APCs and also to smaller landing craft, such as the Finnish Jurmo-class landing craft or the Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft.
Patria NEMO | |
---|---|
Type | Single-barrel, remote-controlled self-loading mortar system |
Place of origin | Finland |
Production history | |
Designer | Patria Land Oy |
Manufacturer | Patria |
Specifications | |
Mass | 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) |
Barrel length | 3,000 mm |
Crew | unmanned turret, 3 in vehicle + driver |
Shell | Standard mortar smoothbore + stub case or smart guided ammunition. Typically HE |
Caliber | 120 mm (4.7 in) smoothbore |
Breech | half-automatic wedge |
Recoil | hydro-pneumatic suspension |
Elevation | −3° to +85° |
Traverse | 360° |
Rate of fire | 10 rounds/minute (max); 6 rounds/minute (sustained) |
History
The first customer of the weapon system was the Slovenian Army,[2] which ordered 12, while the United Arab Emirates Naval Forces bought 12 patrol boats, where some were to be equipped with NEMO mortars.[3] Saudi Arabia bought 36 turrets to equip its LAV II vehicles.[4] Recently, Patria is offering the NEMO system fitted into standardised 20-ft-containers to increase flexibility: the mortar container can be lifted with and fired from a truck or a boat or can be set on the ground, e.g. as base defense.[5][6][7] Training simulators are also available.[8]
Variants
Three variants exist as of 2023:
- Patria NEMO Land Turret
- Patria NEMO container
- Patria NEMO Navy
Operators
Current operators
- Slovenian Ground Force – "NEMO Land Turrets" In 2006, Slovenia ordered 24 Patria NEMO and 135 Patria AMV on which the turrets would be installed.[9][10] This contract was the first export success of this weapon system. In the end, only 30 Patria AMV were delivered as Slovenia decided to reduce the order. The contract was scrapped in 2012 for financial reasons, but this cancellation was also supported by the corruption case against Patria. It is unclear how many turrets are in service as sources contradict each other, from none to 12 in service.[11]
- Saudi Arabian Army – 36 "NEMO Land Turrets" Ordered in September 2010, installed on the LAV II, and operated by the Saudi Arabian National Guard.[12]
- United Arab Emirates Navy – 6 "NEMO Navy" Ghannatha vessels are high-speed, aluminium multi-role ships manufactured by Abu Dhabi Ship Building, ADSB and designed by Swede Ship Marine. In 2015, the phase II of this program included the completion of:
- the construction of 12 Ghannatha 27m vessels
- the retrofit of 12 Ghannatha 25m vessels already in service, among which, 6 were retrofitted with a Patria NEMO turret.[13]
On order
- Swedish Navy – 8 "NEMO Navy" In 2009, the Swedish navy cancelled the order for the Patria AMOS which was supposed to equip an attack vessel. Initially, the expected vessel to be used was the CB90, but it was discovered to be too small to carry the AMOS. A new ship was therefore planned, the Combat Boat 2010. But because of financial reasons, this program was cancelled. In 2023, following the invasion of Ukraine, the budget of the Army increased, enabling this new program, the purchase of 8 "Fast Mortar - 24M".[14]
Potential orders / Interest
- Czech Land ForcesThe Army is looking for 62 self-propelled mortars, capable of indirect, semi-direct and direct fire and most likely on the 8x8 Pandur II. The competitors are the Patria NEMO and the M120 Rak. The NEMO is the most likely winner.[15]
- United States Army The US Army has been studying potential 120 mm mortar turrets to replace its M1064 mortar carrier (M113 variant) and M1129 Mortar Carrier (Stryker variants), and to equip its AMPV. Demonstration and trials have been ongoing since October 2020.[16]
- Spanish Army Spain is looking for a heavy mortar system for most likely its Dragon VCR.[17]
References
- "Kranaatinheitinpanssariajoneuvo XA-361-AMOS". maavoimat.fi. Finnish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- "Slovenian Army's New APCs: Patria's AMVs", Defense Industry Daily
- "ASD News".
- "Patria press release".
- "Patria press release". Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Patria develops containerised mortar system", Jane's
- "European Security & Defense". Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Training for Nemo", Jane's
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/finland_finnish_artillery_vehicle_systems_weapons/nemo_patria_amv_120mm_8x8_self-propelled_mortar_carrier_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures.html
- admin (2006-12-19). "Slovenia Orders AMV, SP Mortars from Patria - Defense Update:". Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- "Patria NEMO 120mm | Weapons Parade Patria NEMO 120mm mortar". Weapons Parade (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- Foss, Christopher F (14 March 2018). "Czech Republic seeks new 120 mm mortar system". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- https://omegaresearchfoundation.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Day_4_-_English.pdf
- "24 M FAST MORTAR - Swede Ship Marine AB - PDF Catalogs | Documentation | Boating Brochures". pdf.nauticexpo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- CZDEFENCE. "Self-propelled mortars for the Czech Armed Forces – single-barrel turrets on 8x8 wheeled chassis". www.czdefence.cz. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- "U.S. Army to demonstrate the capabilities of Patria Nemo 120 mm mortar system through Foreign Comparative Testing". Patria. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- Defensa.com (2022-04-27). "El Ejército estudia una torre con mortero de 120 mm. en el 8x8 Dragón - Noticias Defensa España". Defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-05-31.
External links
- Manufacturer's website
- NEMO 120-mm Self-Propelled Mortar System, article by Military Today