The plant will stand near the existing Defence Partnership Latvia facility at the Valmiera Industrial and Export Park. Until now, vehicle production in Valmiera has been limited to Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers.
The new facility is planned to produce Patria 6×6 vehicles and assemble General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) HUNTER vehicles for the Latvian National Armed Forces. It will also provide full lifecycle support for both types and accommodate other defence industry projects.
“The establishment of this facility is a significant investment in the development of Latvia’s defence industry and the capabilities of the National Armed Forces,” said Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis. “Our goal is to build local industrial capacity that enables us not only to manufacture and maintain armoured vehicles locally, but also to strengthen security of supply and resilience.”
Melnis linked the investment to longer-term cooperation between Patria and Latvian companies. “Patria’s experience and the capabilities of the new facility, combined with the expertise of Latvian companies, provide a strong foundation for long-term cooperation that will help strengthen both our own and our Allies’ defence capabilities,” he said.
“This investment is a clear proof of Patria’s long-term commitment to Latvia and the Latvian National Armed Forces,” said Panu Routila, Patria’s president and chief executive. “By strengthening local production, developing expertise, and involving Latvian companies in the defence supply chain, we are building industrial capabilities that support both security of supply and long-term resilience.”
Routila also pointed to the role of the company’s partnership with GDELS. “At the same time, our cooperation with GDELS demonstrates how strong partnerships and local industrial capabilities can help deliver modern military capabilities to the Latvian National Armed Forces faster and more efficiently,” he said.
