Production of Patria APC hulls has been launched in Latvia

2 January, 2024 Patria 6x6 APC. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Latvia The production of hulls for Patria 6x6 wheeled armored personnel carriers was launched in Latvia.

The Latvian company EMJ Metals SIA, which received production rights from the Finnish company Patria, is conducting the manufacture, Delfi reports. The company was certified for the independent production of APC hulls without the involvement of specialists from Finland, thus confirming the successful transfer of the relevant technologies. Since 2019, EMJ Metals has taken a number of preparatory actions to become an independent supplier of welded hulls, investing more than three million euros in its own production facilities.

In addition, new metalworking equipment was purchased, quality and competence monitoring procedures were introduced, new employees were onboarded, and infrastructure and personnel training were adapted.

One of the first Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers of the Latvian Armed Forces. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Latvia

In particular, a two-month-long internship was organized at the Patria plant in Finland for the workers. Several dozen EMJ Metals employees are currently working on the production of APCs.

Production of the Patria 6x6 hull in Latvia, 2023.

Photo credits: Delphi

Cooperation with Patria has increased the knowledge and experience of the Latvian company's employees, which now allows it to strengthen its position and develop in the field of military production. EMJ Metals became the first Latvian company to pass quality tests and receive a permit to manufacture armored vehicle hulls. As of now, the company has manufactured and transferred several dozen hulls, intended not only for the armed forces of Latvia but also for other customers among NATO countries.

The production and assembly of armored personnel carriers in Latvia is an important element of national security, as it ensures shortened supply chains for the production of military equipment and minimizes the possibility of causing disruptions in the supply of components, as well as in the process of manufacturing and supplying military equipment to the Latvian Armed Forces. Thus, the Latvian defense industry received a full production cycle, including welding and painting on-site.

The signing of the agreement between Patria and EMJ. Photo credits: Gatis Rozenfelds

In October 2020, the Ministry of Defense of Latvia and Finland entered into an agreement with Patria to begin development work on the development of a family of new Patria 6x6 wheeled armored personnel carriers.

Some of the components were planned to be manufactured at EMJ Metals.

The first Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers of the Armed Forces of Latvia. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Latvia

In August 2021, Latvia ordered over 200 APCs as part of a joint development program. Deliveries will take place between 2021 and 2029.

The first four armored personnel carriers arrived in October 2021.