On July 1, 2025, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved the transfer of 42 domestically manufactured Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers (APCs), along with spare parts, munitions, and other unspecified military equipment, to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This delivery is part of a broader military assistance package aligned with Latvia’s commitment to allocate 0.25% of its gross domestic product annually in 2025 and 2026 to support Ukraine’s defense.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds stated that the first Patria 6×6 APCs would be delivered soon and confirmed that the aid would also include training and equipping Ukrainian personnel. (Picture source: Latvian MoD)

During a visit to Latvia in early July 2025, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Valeriy Churkin discussed the bilateral defense cooperation with Sprūds and held several meetings with representatives of Latvian government agencies and defense manufacturers. Churkin thanked the Latvian government and population for their consistent military and political support and emphasized the operational value of the equipment being transferred. Although the detailed content of the aid package remains undisclosed, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed it includes various types of weaponry and materiel.

The 42 Patria 6×6 APCs provided to Ukraine originate from Latvia’s own production of Patria 6×6 vehicles, manufactured at the Valmiera facility inaugurated in May 2024 and operated by Defence Partnership Latvia, a joint venture between Patria (majority shareholder) and the Latvian company Unitruck. Latvia initially signed a framework agreement in August 2021 to acquire 200 Patria 6×6 vehicles under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, a multinational cooperation involving Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. In November 2024, Latvia extended its order with an additional 56 vehicles configured specifically for command-and-control functions. Latvia has stated that the delivery of vehicles to Ukraine will not affect its own procurement schedule. Production at Valmiera is supported by local subcontractors such as EMJ Metāls SIA, which has been certified to manufacture vehicle hulls independently. EMJ Metāls has invested more than €4 million in production technologies since the program began and plays a central role in the local supply chain, supporting Patria 6×6 output.

The Patria 6×6 is a wheeled armored personnel carrier designed and developed by the Finnish company Patria. It is based on the AMVXP platform and the earlier XA-series and was formally launched in 2018. The vehicle is 7.5 meters long, 2.9 meters wide, and 2.5 meters high, with a combat weight of up to 24 tonnes and a payload capacity of 8.5 tonnes. It accommodates two or three crew members and up to ten dismounts. Powered by a Scania DC 09 in-line five-cylinder diesel engine generating 294 kW and 1,870 Nm of torque, the Patria 6×6 uses a ZF Friedrichshafen 7-speed automatic transmission and features a 6×6 all-wheel drive configuration. Its maximum road speed exceeds 100 km/h, with an operational range of over 700 kilometers. The vehicle has off-road capability, a water fording depth of up to 1.5 meters, and, when equipped with an optional flotation system, can travel in water at speeds of 6 to 8 km/h.

Protection on the Patria 6×6 is modular and compliant with NATO STANAG 4569 standards. The base configuration provides protection at levels K2 and M2a/b, with upgrade options to K4 and M4a/b. This allows the vehicle to withstand small arms fire, shell splinters, anti-personnel mines, and certain improvised explosive devices. The vehicle features independent coil spring suspension or optional hydropneumatic suspension, hydraulically assisted steering, run-flat tires, and central tire inflation. The layout places the driver and commander at the front, the engine block directly behind the driver, and the troop compartment at the rear, with a right-side passage connecting front and rear. The design supports multiple mission variants and allows the integration of communications, command-and-control systems, and armament modules.

The Patria 6×6 is equipped with various armament options, depending on configuration. It can mount a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun on a roof station, a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, or remote-controlled weapon stations with 25 mm or 30 mm medium-caliber weapons. The platform is compatible with the Patria Nemo 120 mm turreted mortar system, capable of both direct and indirect fire missions up to 10 km. Some variants can support heavier systems such as 105 mm or 120 mm cannons. Internally, the modular architecture allows rapid conversion between troop transport, reconnaissance, command post, or medical evacuation roles. The vehicle is designed for service lives exceeding 30 years and is in operation or on order in Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and Ukraine. The United Kingdom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Patria and Babcock for a potential future acquisition.

The Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program was initiated in early 2020 by Finland, Latvia, and Estonia to create a standardized 6×6 platform for troop transport and support roles. Estonia later exited the program and procured vehicles from Turkish companies Otokar and Nurol Makina. Sweden joined the CAVS program in 2022, and Germany followed in 2023, using it to partially replace aging TPz Fuchs and M113 vehicles. As of mid-2025, Patria has received orders for over 750 vehicles, with approximately 200 units delivered. Latvia’s contribution to the program includes not only production but also testing infrastructure. The Ministry of Defense has proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Law to allow Patria 6×6 testing at the Ādaži training ground, which is currently operating under a temporary solution pending regulatory adjustments.

Latvia, Finland, and Patria signed a Life Cycle Management (LCM) agreement in August 2024 to coordinate long-term support for the CAVS fleet using Patria’s OPTIME service concept. This contract provides a framework for maintenance, training, logistics, and system upgrades throughout the operational life of the vehicles and is open to other CAVS participants. Patria Senior Vice President Mats Warstedt stated that this marked the transition of the CAVS program into the sustainment phase. Under the OPTIME model, lifecycle support is tailored to user needs and includes a modular approach to maximize availability and fleet readiness. The LCM contract complements existing R&D and production agreements and enhances coordination across the multinational user base.

The Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Latvia in early July 2025 included discussions on the transfer of military equipment and long-term industrial cooperation. Meetings involved both governmental agencies and defense firms participating in the CAVS program. Churkin highlighted the importance of technological exchanges and further collaboration in defense manufacturing. In addition to the 42 Patria 6×6 APCs, the Latvian package includes additional unspecified military equipment intended to strengthen Ukraine’s operational capabilities. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the specific quantities or types of supplementary equipment included. The transfer of Latvian-produced Patria vehicles contributes to Ukraine’s ongoing effort to reinforce its armored mobility while offering Latvia an opportunity to assess its own platforms’ performance in combat environments. The transfer is also consistent with Latvia’s strategy to integrate its domestic industry more deeply into European defense supply chains.