The Latvian Ministry of Defence and Patria have signed a contract for lifecycle support and maintenance of the Latvian Armed Forces' CAVS 6x6 armoured personnel carriers. The agreement, which was concluded on 11 March, is said to ensure the long-term availability of the vehicles by consolidating local maintenance and manufacturer support within a common framework.
– This agreement enhances Latvia's long-term defence capability by combining the strengths of the local industry with Patria's experience, says Latvia's Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds according to a press release from the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
The agreement complements the overarching lifecycle management (LCM) contract that Latvia, Finland, and Patria signed in 2024. The Latvian Ministry of Defence states that this initiative increases military maintenance capacity at the local level, which is considered critical for supply security during both peace and crisis situations.
The defence company Patria confirms in a separate statement that the agreement establishes specific maintenance processes and responsibilities tailored for the Latvian vehicle fleet. The arrangement integrates maintenance activities performed by the local industry with the expertise provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
– Through the CAVS programme, Latvia's supply security for 6x6 vehicles becomes exceptionally strong. This is supported by local vehicle assembly that has been ongoing since 2022, the completed technology transfer programme in 2025, and the establishment of a dedicated spare parts inventory, says Ugis Romanovs, Patria's head for Latvia.
The CAVS programme (Common Armoured Vehicle System) is led by Finland and currently includes seven member countries. Latvia's involvement began in 2021 with a framework agreement concerning over 200 armoured personnel carriers from Patria. According to the Latvian Ministry of Defence, this order was recently supplemented with an additional 56 command vehicles, following the completion of the system's design phase in the summer of 2024. Latvia has also previously delivered over 40 of Patria's 6x6 vehicles to Ukraine, which NDS has reported on.