Latvia's first Patria is a demonstration to society that defense is a national priority, officials said at the handover ceremony.
Uģis Romanovs, Chairman of the Board of Defense Partnership Latvia, said that "this event is proof that Latvian industry can."
"This armored vehicle's hull and hull parts are manufactured in Ķekava and Rīga. The hatch covers, doors, other parts, floating devices - they are made in Saldus. The frame of the car is made in Jelgava. Patria has received orders for around 700 machines from participants in the project and we have delivered more than 200 machines. Latvia, of course, Sweden, Finland, and also Germany are involved. Patria parts produced in Latvia are also assembled in the armored personnel carriers of our partner countries," Romanovs said.
He pointed out that production is currently progressing very well and that the target of producing 30 Patria armored vehicles per year is currently not causing any difficulties.
The Valmiera plant can produce 160 Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers per year. The plant has a capacity of 80 armored personnel carriers per year per shift, but currently only fulfils the Latvian NBS order of 30 armored personnel carriers per year.
According to Colonel Gunārs Vizulis, Acting Commander of the Home Guard and Commander of the 3rd Latgale Brigade, the two main beneficial factors of the Patria armored vehicle are mobility and self-defense.
"This is an infantry fighting vehicle that helps our infantry units to move, to carry out quick tasks, of course, it is equipped with the necessary equipment and armaments - the biggest support for our self-defense, because we are light infantry units and we move with unarmored vehicles, and they are different, ranging from 4x4 light vehicles to heavy vehicles. The Patria is the first armored vehicle that provides our capability, this vehicle provides the movement of personnel, all the necessary equipment and also supports the movement of weapons to the specific tasks," Vizulis said.
The vehicles are tested at the Ādaži military training ground.
