Patria is expanding its industrial presence in Latvia with a new military vehicle facility at the Valmiera Industrial and Export Park.
The foundation stone was laid on 7 October, with construction scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2027. It will be located near its existing Defence Partnership Latvia facility.
In a statement released on 8 October, Patria said that the new site will produce Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) HUNTER infantry fighting vehicles for the Latvian National Armed Forces.
The plant will also support assembly, maintenance and other lifecycle activities for the platforms.
Patria currently produces 6×6 armoured personnel carriers in Valmiera. The additional facility is intended to support further capability development projects for Latvia and other defence industry activities involving the Latvian and Allied armed forces.
Patria president and CEO Panu Routila said: “This investment is a clear proof of Patria’s long-term commitment to Latvia and the Latvian National Armed Forces. By strengthening local production, developing expertise, and involving Latvian companies in the defence supply chain, we are building industrial capabilities that support both security of supply and long-term resilience. At the same time, our cooperation with GDELS demonstrates how strong partnerships and local industrial capabilities can help deliver modern military capabilities to the Latvian National Armed Forces faster and more efficiently.”
The development follows a lifecycle support agreement signed by Latvia and Patria in March for the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) 6×6 vehicles operated by the Latvian National Armed Forces.
The CAVS programme was established in 2020 by Finland and Latvia as a multinational initiative to develop a 6×6 armoured vehicle system based on common national requirements. Its participating countries now include Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Norway and the UK.
