To mark the fifth anniversary of Patria’s operations in Latvia and the first anniversary of the Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) armoured vehicle production facility in Valmiera, Patria and GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDELS) jointly announce the start of a strategic collaboration The DPL facility in Valmiera will handle the assembly and maintenance of ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), with the first production units expected in June 2026. The ASCOD IFVs will feature NATO-standard Level 4 armour, automatic cannons, anti-tank weapon systems, machine guns, and advanced battlefield technology, providing enhanced situational awareness for troops. Each vehicle will be operated by a three-person crew and can transport and deploy six fully equipped soldiers.
“We are excited to begin this collaboration with Patria, a company that has proven its technological capabilities in managing complex defence industry solutions. The assembly and production of ASCOD components in Latvia will strengthen the security of military supply chains, improve delivery responsiveness, and contribute significantly to the growth of the local defence industry, while also supporting the broader Latvian economy”, says Alejandro Page Hernandez, Vice President of GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas.
“The assembly and servicing of ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles mark a significant step in the development of our military manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Latvia. Our experience with the production of 6×6 armoured vehicles, combined with the transfer of technology and expertise from Patria, demonstrates our ability to handle complex and precise military vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance tasks”, says Uģis Romanovs, Chairman of the Board at Patria Latvia and Defence Partnership Latvia.
Accordingly, on 30 January 2025, the Latvian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas for the delivery of 42 ASCOD IFVs for the Latvian National Armed Forces, valued at €373 million. The procurement process for these vehicles began in early 2023, involving a comprehensive pre-selection phase to identify potential suppliers. In the autumn of 2023, functional testing of various IFV platforms was conducted to assess their operational capabilities. Following these tests, the National Armed Forces carried out a detailed evaluation, considering operational needs, cost, available equipment, local industry involvement, delivery schedules, and other key factors. The first ASCOD IFVs are expected to be operational by autumn 2026.
General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is the European arm of General Dynamics Corporation, a global aerospace and defense leader. GDELS provides a wide range of military mobility solutions, including wheeled and tracked armored vehicles, mobile bridges, and artillery systems. With 3,000 employees across production facilities in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Romania, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, GDELS supports 50 customers worldwide, including 20 NATO and EU nations.
Patria is a modern and international defence and technology company with over 100 years of experience. Through our top-notch experts and Through life capability, Protected mobility & defence systems and Battlefield & critical systems products and services, we ensure reliable operations for our customers and serve as a partner in critical functions on land, sea and air – when if is not an option. Patria has offices in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.
Patria is owned by the State of Finland (50.1%) and Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (49.9%). Patria owns 50% of Nammo, and together these three companies form a leading Nordic defence partnership.
Defence Partnership Latvia is a joint venture owned by Patria Latvia (70%) and the Latvian company Unitruck (30%). Established to produce, market, sell, and provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Patria 6×6 vehicles, the company plays a critical role in ensuring national supply chain security. Defence Partnership Latvia represents a cluster of six Latvian companies currently involved in Patria 6×6 vehicle production.
