Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers to be excellent addition to Latvia's defense capabilities - Spruds

RIGA - Latvian-made Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers will be an excellent addition to Latvia's defense capabilities, Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) told reporters after attending a ceremony where the first such vehicle was handed over to the National Armed Forces.

Latvian industry has proven that it is capable of manufacturing such modern equipment, and the event today will go down in history of Latvia's Armed Forces, said Spruds.

The armored personnel carriers have proven to be of high quality and perform their function well, stressed Spruds. Latvia has so far received almost 100 such vehicles. This year, another 25 will be manufactured, and 30 more next year.

The ceremony took place at the military base in Adazi to mark the handover of the first Latvian-made Patria 6x6 armored personnel carrier to the National Armed Forces.

The vehicle will be used by the National Guard's 3rd Latgale Brigade.

Manufacturing of Patria 6x6 armored carriers in Latvia is part of an international cooperation program that has been joined by Finland, Sweden and Germany, and may be further joined and any other allied country. The aim of the program is to carry out research and production of military equipment specifically for the needs of the armed forces of NATO member countries.