Latvia sends Ukraine Patria APCs: What makes them special
Photo: Ukraine received the first Patria armored personnel carriers from Latvia (Getty Images)
Ukrainian troops have received the first batch of new Patria armored personnel carriers (APCs) from Latvia. The initial shipment of this equipment has already been delivered to Ukraine, according to a Telegram post by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
"I expressed special thanks for the new aid package, including the delivery of heavy armored Patria vehicles. The Prime Minister [of Latvia] confirmed that the first batch of APCs has already arrived in Ukraine, with the next on its way," Shmyhal stated.
According to him, the package includes a total of 42 units of such and other equipment, worth around 70 million euros, which Latvia will soon transfer to Ukraine as part of its new defense assistance package.
What is known about the Patria armored personnel carriers
The Patria 6×6 is an armored personnel carrier developed by the Finnish company Patria. Thanks to its modular design, the Patria 6×6 can perform a wide range of tasks — from transporting infantry to serving as a command post or mortar platform.
In its basic version, it is protected against small arms fire and mines, but it can be upgraded to a higher level of protection if needed.
Since 2024, the Patria 6×6 has also been produced in Latvia at a new facility in the city of Valmiera. The project is being implemented in cooperation with Finland, and the first batch has already been delivered to the Latvian army.
Earlier, on February 10 of this year, the Latvian Ministry of Defense announced that it had ordered Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers for delivery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
