Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the transfer of 42 “Patria 6x6” armored personnel carriers (APC) to Ukraine today. Patria is a Finnish defense company, and the APC is jointly produced by Finland, Estonia, Germany, and Latvia.
The APC was requested by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense to Latvia on Feb 10. 2025.
The Patria 6x6 is classified as an APC, and not an is not an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) because it has a gun smaller than 20mm.
Latvia signed an intergovernmental agreement with Patria in 2021 for an order of 200 APCs.
The Patria 6x6 can carry a crew of 2-3 and transport 10 troops is armed with the NEMO 120mm mortar system, remote-controlled turrets, and its armor meets STANAG 4569 protection standards, according to OvertDefense. The vehicle uses a diesel engine and has a range of 700 km (435 miles), a top speed of 100 km (62 miles) per hour, and amphibious capabilities.
“I am convinced that our Patria armoured vehicles will help the Ukrainian armed forces in their fight against the aggressor. We will continue to support Ukraine in the future – both this year and next year, we will provide Ukraine with military aid amounting to 0.25% of our gross domestic product,” said Defense Minister Andris Sprūds, according to Latvian Public Media.
Ukraine uses several armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles to transport troops, including legacy Soviet-era BRT class IFVs, the domestically produced Khorunzhyi, and donated armored vehicles such as the antique American M113, the American Bradley IFV, the Swedish Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302), and the German Marder IFV.
There have been no reports yet of the Patria 6x6 seeing action in Ukraine, but the delivery of 42 new vehicles will likely soon join the fight alongside other donated armored vehicles.