Patria and GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas have announced a collaboration to assemble and maintain ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles at Patria’s Latvian facility.
The collaboration marks the fifth anniversary of Patria’s operations in Latvia and the first anniversary of the Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) armored vehicle production facility in Valmiera.
DPL is a joint venture between Patria and Latvian firm Unitruck.
The first production units of the GDELS vehicles are expected in June 2026 from the facility, which also produces PATRIA 6×6 armored personnel carriers.
“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 capabilities in Latvia,” chairman of the board at Patria Latvia and DPL Uģis Romanovs said.
“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.”
ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle
A total of 42 ASCODs were ordered by the Latvian Ministry of Defense in January for 373 million euros ($423 million).
The ministry launched the procurement process in early 2023, including selecting potential suppliers and functional testing of various platforms in the autumn of 2023.
The ASCOD features NATO STANAG 4569 level four armor for protection from kinetic and mine blast threats.
It holds a crew of three and can accommodate six soldiers with complete combat equipment.
Regarding firepower, it is equipped with an autocannon, anti-tank weapons, machine guns, and advanced battlefield situational awareness technologies.
