Latvia's Valmiera Plant Set to Deliver First Patria 6x6 Armored Personnel Carrier in Coming Weeks.

The first Patria 6x6 armored personnel carrier (APC) is set to roll off the assembly line at the newly inaugurated Valmiera plant in Latvia in the coming weeks. As reported by the Latvian TV LSM website, this milestone is part of an ambitious plan to build 25 units by the end of the year.
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Production line of Patria 6x6 armored vehicles at the  Valmiera plant in Latvia . (Picture source: Latvian TV LSM)

Juta Kandere, Quality Specialist at Defence Partnership Latvia, emphasized the extensive training and hands-on experience the workforce in Finland has received. “Our employees are well-equipped to manage the assembly work independently, ensuring the highest quality of the Patria 6x6 APCs,” Kandere assured.

The production process in Latvia is substantial, with many components such as hulls, windows, doors, hatches, and the main chassis being manufactured locally. This local contribution is a source of pride and a significant boost to Latvia's defense technology and industrial base.

Currently, the Valmiera plant exclusively fulfills orders for the National Armed Forces (NAF) of Latvia. However, Uģis Romanovs, Chairman of the Board of Defence Partnership Latvia, stated that the plant's potential is far-reaching. "The total order exceeds 700 APCs, including the Latvian order. With Patria Group’s two assembly plants in Hameenlinna, Finland, and Valmiera, we aim to efficiently fulfill other countries’ orders soon," Romanovs expressed optimistically.

A new building adjacent to the factory is under construction and will be dedicated to testing the armored personnel carriers. Operations are expected to begin by the end of the summer.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, Patria inaugurated this new production facility in Valmiera, marking the start of full-cycle Patria 6x6 armored vehicles in Latvia, a first for the Baltic region. This development follows a 2021 order from the Latvian Ministry of Defence for over 200 Patria 6x6 vehicles to be delivered by 2029. This cooperation significantly enhances the NAF's combat capabilities and contributes to the growth of Latvia's defense technology and industrial base.

The Patria 6x6 vehicle builds on the legacy of Patria's renowned armored wheeled vehicles, which have been deployed in peacekeeping and crisis management missions, transporting soldiers globally for decades. The Patria 6x6 is modular and high-performance, yet simple, robust, and affordable, enabling large fleet deployments. It offers modern protection and high mobility, and its modular design supports a wide range of configurations for diverse missions. The Patria 6x6 is an ideal choice for troop transportation and combat support roles.

Primarily designed as an armored personnel carrier (APC), the Patria 6x6 can also be configured for various combat support roles, including a Company Command vehicle, Medical Evacuation vehicle, Heavy APC, and the 120 mm Patria Nemo mortar system.

The Valmiera plant symbolizes a significant step forward in Latvia’s defense production capabilities, aligning with broader efforts to bolster national and regional security through advanced, locally-produced military hardware.