Finnish defense company Patria to assemble ASCOD tracked infantry fighting vehicles locally in Latvia
Finnish defense company Patria, in cooperation with Spain’s GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, has announced the start of local assembly of ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in Latvia.
The assembly and maintenance will be carried out at the Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) facility in Valmiera. The first units are expected to be completed by June 2026.
This initiative is part of a €373 million contract signed on January 30, 2025, between the Latvian Ministry of Defense and GDELS. The agreement covers the delivery of 42 ASCOD IFVs to the Latvian National Armed Forces.
The ASCOD is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle with a crew of three and the capacity to carry six fully equipped soldiers. It features NATO Level 4 armor protection, an automatic cannon, anti-tank guided weapons, and advanced electronic systems for enhanced situational awareness.
Launching local production will contribute to the development of Latvia’s defense industry, strengthen supply chains, and create new jobs in the region.
The ASCOD IFVs are expected to enter service in the Latvian Armed Forces by autumn 2026.
