Ukraine to combine mobility and troop protection in combat zones with first Patria 6x6 armored vehicles.

On July 15, 2025, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, during a working visit to Kyiv held on Ukraine’s Statehood Day, formally transferred the first 15 Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The handover ceremony was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
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The 42 Patria 6x6 armored vehicles for Ukraine are being built in Latvia at the Valmiera production facility, which has a current output capacity of up to 160 vehicles per year. (Picture source: Latvian MoD)

The delivery initiates a broader military assistance package comprising 42 Patria 6x6 vehicles, drones, and additional military equipment valued at approximately €70 million. Latvia reaffirmed that this support is part of its annual commitment to allocate 0.25% of its GDP for Ukraine’s defense in 2025 and 2026. Prime Minister Siliņa noted that this delivery fulfills a commitment made during her previous visit to Kyiv in 2024. During the visit, she also met with residents affected by Russian airstrikes and attended a ceremony honoring Ukrainian personnel killed in combat. President Zelensky expressed appreciation for Latvia’s continued political, humanitarian, and military assistance, specifically emphasizing the operational relevance of the Patria 6x6 vehicles. Both sides discussed long-term cooperation, including potential joint projects in the defense sector and infrastructure reconstruction.

Latvia's acquisition and production of the Patria 6x6 armored vehicle are part of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, launched in 2020 as a cooperative initiative between Finland and Latvia, later joined by Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. Latvia signed a framework agreement in August 2021 to procure 200 Patria 6x6 vehicles, with an additional 56 command-and-control variants ordered in November 2024. The vehicles are produced at the Valmiera facility in Latvia, inaugurated in May 2024 and operated by Defence Partnership Latvia, a joint venture between Patria and Latvian company Unitruck. The facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 160 vehicles. Local subcontractors, including EMJ Metāls SIA, have been certified to manufacture vehicle hulls independently and have invested over €4 million in production technologies. Latvian authorities confirmed that the transfer of 42 Patria vehicles to Ukraine will not impact the delivery schedule for Latvian Armed Forces. The Latvian Ministry of Defense has also initiated amendments to national regulations to support the vehicle’s domestic testing and certification.

The Patria 6x6 is a six-wheeled armored personnel carrier developed by Finnish company Patria and introduced in 2018. The vehicle is based on the AMVXP platform and is designed for multi-role utility in combat and support operations. It measures 7.5 meters in length, 2.9 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height, with a combat weight of up to 24,000 kilograms and a payload capacity of 8,500 kilograms. It is equipped with a Scania DC09 five-cylinder inline diesel engine producing 294 kilowatts of power and 1,870 newton-meters of torque. The transmission system consists of a ZF Friedrichshafen 7-speed automatic gearbox, and the drive configuration is 6x6 with all-wheel drive. The vehicle can reach a top speed of over 100 kilometers per hour and has an operational range exceeding 700 kilometers. It can ford water up to 1.5 meters deep and, with an optional flotation system, travel in water at speeds of 6 to 8 kilometers per hour. The vehicle is designed to carry a crew of two or three and up to ten dismounts.

These mobility characteristics are relevant in the context of Ukrainian operations, where mixed terrain conditions, damaged infrastructure, and river crossings are common. The Patria 6x6 can climb 60% gradients, cross 1.2-meter-wide trenches, and pass over vertical obstacles up to 0.6 meters high. Its hydropneumatic suspension or standard coil spring system, central tire inflation, and run-flat tires support high maneuverability on unpaved roads, in forested zones, and in agricultural regions. This is applicable in areas such as Kherson, Mykolaiv, or Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, where flooding and poor road conditions often limit the movement of less mobile platforms. The vehicle's 700-kilometer range supports extended deployment without the need for frequent refueling, reducing vulnerability during resupply operations and enabling longer autonomous missions. These features can increase the responsiveness of Ukrainian reaction forces and improve logistical resilience in contested areas.

The Patria 6x6 includes a modular protection system compliant with NATO STANAG 4569 standards. The base configuration offers Level 2 protection against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds and artillery fragments, with upgrade packages available for Level 4 protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing threats and 10-kilogram mine blasts. The vehicle's internal layout includes an armored passageway between the front crew compartment and rear troop section, improving crew survivability during ambushes or indirect fire. This configuration allows Ukrainian personnel to remain under armor during dismount and transit. Given the high threat of small arms, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices in Ukrainian operational areas, these features may reduce casualty rates among embarked infantry compared to older vehicle types or unarmored logistics platforms. The vehicle’s ability to maintain mobility after tire damage and its internal crew access improve operational reliability during frontline missions and convoy escorts.

The Patria 6x6’s design supports multiple mission variants. Its modular architecture enables configuration for troop transport, command and control, medical evacuation, fire support, and reconnaissance. The platform supports various weapon systems, including 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, and remote weapon stations up to 30 mm. It is compatible with the Patria NEMO 120 mm turreted mortar system, which offers indirect fire up to 10 kilometers, rapid-fire capability, and fire-on-the-move functionality. This compatibility allows the Patria 6x6 to function as a mobile mortar carrier for forward-deployed fire support, or as a command vehicle integrated with digital battle management systems. In Ukrainian usage, such roles could complement existing wheeled platforms like the BTR-4 and enable replacement or reinforcement of vehicles lost during high-intensity operations. The shared chassis across variants reduces logistical complexity, facilitates fleet maintenance, and streamlines operator training.

Ukraine is not the only country adopting the Patria 6x6. Under the CAVS program, Finland has ordered 161 units, including initial test vehicles, and Sweden has contracted for 341 vehicles under the designation “Pansarterrängbil 300,” with deliveries expected to continue through 2030. Germany has signed a €50 million development agreement for mortar-equipped and command vehicle prototypes based on the Patria 6x6 and plans a larger acquisition to replace legacy TPz Fuchs platforms, with a long-term procurement goal of up to 1,000 vehicles. Denmark confirmed the purchase of 129 Patria 6x6 units, designated XA-300, valued at approximately €247 million, with deliveries beginning in 2026. The United Kingdom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Patria and Babcock to develop a national variant of the vehicle. Latvia has also delivered 25 units to its own armed forces in 2025 and continues local production. This widespread adoption across NATO and EU countries positions the Patria 6x6 as a standardized solution for armored mobility, enabling interoperability and coordinated lifecycle management among participating nations.