Latvia could sign an agreement on the purchase of 6×6 armored vehicles manufactured by the Finnish company Patria in the autumn, the Press Department of the Ministry of Defense informed.
The Cabinet of Ministers today approved an information report on the purchase of armored vehicles, which envisages the preparation of an intergovernmental agreement with Finland on the purchase of vehicles manufactured by the company “Patria”.
The procurement is planned to purchase a vehicle platform that meets the needs of the National Armed Forces, as well as to ensure the involvement of local companies in the project, envisaging maintenance, repair and possible modernization of vehicles in Latvia in the future.
Calculations made by the Ministry of Defense show that the value of the involvement of the domestic industry will be at least 63 million euros, and new jobs will be created as a result of the project development. Such forecasts are reinforced by the fact that companies from various economic sectors are included in the Latvian subcontractor cluster formed by Patria, the ministry thinks.
If the vehicle tests started by Patria and the establishment of the Latvian subcontractor cluster continue successfully and if the merchant offers the most advantageous price for vehicles, then the conclusion of the contract and the execution of orders will take place at the beginning of this autumn.
The Ministry of Defense states that it has taken measures to ensure that the procurement fully complies with the European Union conditions for the implementation of defense and security procurement.
Currently, Latvia and Finland are participating in the new 6×6 armored vehicle project, as well as Sweden has shown interest in getting involved. Estonia later suspended its participation in the project after signing a letter of intent with Latvia and Finland, but the ministry notes that it and any other allied country have the opportunity to join the procurement in the future.
In discussions with the merchant, the price of armored vehicles will be determined by Latvian requirements, for example, the number of technical units, modifications and their diversity, emphasizes AM.
On May 26 of this year, a prototype of “Patria” new 6×6 vehicle was presented at Ādaži landfill. Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (AP) has previously announced that Latvia could purchase about 300 armored vehicles manufactured by Patria.
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