Common APC programme continues with demonstrations in Latvia
Patria 6x6 APC. (Photo: Patria)
Latvia hosted a demonstration tour in May of the Patria 6x6 armoured personnel carrier (APC) it is developing with Finland and Estonia.
More than 100 personnel from the Latvian Armed Forces had the opportunity to test the mobility, features, and capability of the vehicle under realistic operational conditions, Patria claimed on 31 May.
‘The vehicle has been proven to be very suitable for this joint programme,’ said Jussi Järvinen, president of the land business unit in Patria.
He added: 'The programme is open to other countries with the mutual consent of the participating countries. In general, this common vehicle system will improve the mobility, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, and security of supply of armies in the participating countries.'
The joint programme remains in the R&D phase. The vehicle has undergone various capability tests, including in ‘challenging winter conditions’ in Lapland and Latvia, Patria noted.
In October 2020, Finland and Latvia signed a product development agreement with Patria, worth about €7.3 million (US$8.6 million), for R&D of a common armoured vehicle based on the Patria 6x6 armoured vehicle platform.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that while work under the product development agreement will continue until the end of 2021, the Finnish MoD has stated that initial deliveries could take place by then.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
DSEI 2025: Avon Protection provides first sight of new goggle and details on half mask
Avon Protection has been growing and improving its integrated systems offerings. Last year the company released its Exoskin total protective suit system and earlier this year the MITR-M1 half mask.
-
DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements
Elbit Systems UK was awarded the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) programme in January 2021, which will integrate with the UK’s army, marines and air force. The parent company has decades of heritage in the UK and is looking to compete for the Watchkeeper drone replacement.