Sisu Pasi

Infobox Weapon
name= Sisu Pasi


caption=Norwegian XA-186
origin=FIN
type=Armoured personnel carrier
is_vehicle=yes
crew=2 (+16 passengers)
length= 7.35 m
width= 2.9 m
height= 2.77 m
weight= 13.5 tonnes
armour= 10 mm
primary_armament= 12.7 mm NSV machine gun
secondary=
engine= Valmet 611 DSBJA diesel
engine_power= 236 hp (176 kW)
suspension= wheeled 6×6
speed= 100+ km/h, swim 10 km/h
pw_ratio= 17.48 hp/tonne
vehicle_range= 900 km

The Sisu Pasi is a Finnish made six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) originally designed for Finnish Defence Forces. The first version was produced in 1983 and serial production began in 1984. The basic design was based on easy usage, simple basic structure and low cost maintenance. The basic appearance and configuration is similar to most wheeled APCs. The XA-180 and XA-185 versions are fully amphibious while the XA-203 isn't.

Development

In 1980, Sisu produced an XA-180 prototype for Finnish Army tests. It competed against two other prototypes, but was declared the winner of the trials in 1983. On 22 December 1983 the Finnish Army ordered a first batch of fifty XA-180s, of which nine were reserved for UN duties. The vehicle proved quite successful and more orders were soon to follow.

The XA-180 was originally manufactured and marketed by the Finnish company Sisu Auto but later variants were marketed by the Finnish company Patria and are known as Patria XA series. The Vehicle's widely known nickname "Pasi" stems from the Finnish name "panssari-Sisu" ( _en. armoured Sisu). The main superstructure is mainly manufactured from 6 to 12 mm of armour steel and the bottom is mine strengthened, the front windows are bullet-resistant and equipped with protective hatches. The vehicle has continuous six wheel drive and good capabilities for off-road driving. It can take inclines up to a maximum of 60°.

The XA series has no standard armament, but is equipped with a rotating turret-structure for installation of light/heavy machine guns or autocannons. It also has 8 BMP style firing ports on the sides. Therefore passengers, usually a squad of infantry, can fire their weapons from the cover of the armor.

The XA series is popular in peacekeeping missions due to its mobility, non-aggressive looks, and good protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IED). The vehicle also offers a good combination of armament, comfort, mine protection, protection against shrapnel and small calibre fire, road speed, short time of learning how to drive, and an acceptable terrain mobility. Compared to other similar vehicles, like the Fuchs and BTR-80, it offers more internal space.

The six-wheeled XA-series is no longer in production. The improved design is Patria XA-360, or AMV.

Operational service

The Sisu Pasi has seen service in several conflict areas, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Eritrea, Golan Heights, Kosovo, Lebanon, the Republic of Macedonia and Namibia.

Versions

;Sisu XA-180: Original six wheeler, carries crew of 2 and 16 troops;Sisu XA-185: Upgraded version, carries crew of 2 and 18 troops. Has a more powerful engine and improved power transmission.;Sisu XA-200: The 200 series looks a little different from older variants due to increased armour. It lacks amphibious capabilities but can wade through water that is up to 1.5 m deep. The improved armour protects the passengers against up to 14.5 mm small arms fire. It is also equipped with modern optical aids like periscopes and night vision. The armor upgrade was initiated after the realisation that the previous armor was inadequate, even modern armor-piercing 7.62 mm ammunition could pierce the older XA-180 and XA-185 models in certain areas. The XA-202 was originally developed for Communications and Command. The XA-203 was made as a temporary replacement for XA-185, and is intended to be replaced by Patria AMVs in Finnish service.

There are numerous sub-versions of the different main versions, e.g. armored personnel carriers, ambulance, communications, surface-to-air missile carrier, radar vehicle, headquarters, fire-fighting [ [http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37622&d=1196905409 Image of fire-fighting Pasi] ] and anti-tank versions among others.

Operators

*FIN: Finnish Army, Finnish Navy, Finnish Police. 425 XA-180s and 185s, 148 XA-200s
**XA-180, most upgraded to 185 specs, and configured with special communications equipment
**XA-185, the most common version, some equipped with TOW turret, most of the Finnish vehicles are armed with a 12.7 mm NSV machine gun.
**XA-203, the last generation APC replacing the oldest vehicles of the XA-185 series.
**XA-202 command and signals vehicle, configured with special communications equipment
**XA-181 built for Crotale NG independent air defence unit
**XA air defence radar unit, equipped with Jantronic J-1000 radar
**Ambulance
**Units used by the Finnish police are on loan from Finnish military to police special unit and used in extreme situations
*SWE: Swedish Army. 200 vehicles.
**XA-180S, mainly in UN service
**XA-202S, as command and control vehicles, Swedish special variant
**XA-203S, General purposed APCs, armed with 20 mm gun
*NOR: Norwegian Army. 50 vehicles.
**XA-186 used by the Telemark Battalion, Hans Majestet Kongens Garde and Basesett 1 located at Ørland Main Air Station. 50 vehicles.
*EST: Estonian Army
**XA-180EST, former XA-180 of the Finnish army, which have been modernized. Quantity 60 vehicles. Sold without armament. Has shown interest to obtain another 30 units in 2008.
*GHA: In UN service.
*NLD: Dutch Army. 90 units.
**XA-188 GVV (early 200-series variant) Used by army and marines, equipped with GPS and satcom, armament MG or .50cal
**XA 188 GWT Ambulance
*IRL: The Irish Army also operates two XA-180s, formerly as training vehicles for soldiers preparing for service in South Lebanon
*flag|UN: A large number of Sisu XA-180 vehicles is used by UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.
*The KFOR force in Kosovo has 46 Sisu XA-180s. [http://www.marttitikka.net/kuvasivut/sisu/sisu012.htm]

ee also

*List of AFVs
* [http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=11952 MilitaryImages.Net Pictures and discussion about Norwegian Sisu XA-186]
* [http://www.danskpanser.dk/Hjulkoretojer/PatriaXA185.htm Danish army XA-185]

References