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Latvia Completes Patria 6×6 Armored Personnel Carrier Transfer to Ukraine

Latvia has completed the final delivery of Patria 6×6 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) donated to Ukraine at the Ādaži military base.

The handover comprises 21 vehicles built domestically. It follows Riga’s earlier commitment in February to transfer a total of 42 Patria 6×6 APCs, with the first tranche delivered in July

The package consists of the platforms armed with a 12.7 mm NATO-caliber support machine gun and ammunition, spare parts, as well as repair and maintenance tools and equipment, including combat damage repair kits designed for frontline use. 

Latvian Patria

While the 6×6 APC is developed by the Finnish firm Patria, Latvia is a partner in the multinational Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) program involving six other European countries.

Under CAVS, participating nations jointly develop, procure, and produce versions of the Patria 6×6 to meet shared operational and logistical standards.

In May 2024, the Baltic state opened a production facility in Valmiera, Latvia, to produce the armored vehicles. 

Support for Ukraine

“The donation of Latvian-made armored personnel carriers is a significant contribution to Ukraine’s defenders and an opportunity to test the endurance and capabilities of Latvian-produced armored vehicles in real combat conditions,” Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds said

He also highlighted the country’s support for Ukraine since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

In addition to the APC donation, the Baltic state is also training Ukrainian soldiers, sending thousands of combat drones, and financing the purchase of American weapons bound for Kyiv under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List program. 

Its military aid is set to reach 0.3 percent of its GDP by the end of this year, according to a Ministry of Defense press release. 

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