The defence equipment manufacturer Patria has suspended the assembly of military vehicles at the Sostanija factory in Slovenia. The armoured vehicles had been ordered by the country’s armed forces.
Patria and the Slovenian Ministry of Defence have renegotiated the agreement, because Slovenia is running out of money.
Slovenia initially ordered 135 armoured vehicles, but now it wants to reduce the number to about 80.
Patria has delivered13 of the behicles so far. In a statement issued on Wednesday Patria says that it has already received payment for them, Patria announced on Wednesday.
“The production is not discontinued but will be concentrated on finalising those vehicles that might be delivered later this year and during next year”, said Seppo Seppälä, director of Patria Land & Armament in Wednesday’s press release.
Patria is now waiting for an official invitation to new negotiations at the Slovenian Ministry of Defence.
Slovenia’s economy has suffered badly from the ongoing economic crisis, forcing the country to trim back its defence budget.
Meanwhile, a police investigation continues over suspicions of bribery in the deal.
