On May 30, Finland's Patria and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) announced a collaboration to produce and assemble ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) in Latvia, aiming to strengthen NATO's defense posture in the Baltic region.

According to the military news website 'Army Recognition', Patria commemorates its five years of operations in Latvia and the one-year anniversary of the Defense Partnership Agreement (DPL) by launching ASCOD production at its facility in Valmiera, marking a significant milestone in European armored vehicle manufacturing.

Latvia's Ministry of Defence announced in January this year a €373 million (approximately NTD 12.9 billion) contract with GDELS for the procurement of 42 ASCOD IFVs, part of its defense modernization efforts. The collaboration between Patria and GDELS is expected not only to enhance Latvia's military capabilities and defense autonomy but also to enable a diversified supply chain, reducing reliance on distant suppliers and reshaping the defense industrial landscape in the Baltic region, thereby bolstering NATO's eastern flank readiness and defense strength.

The ASCOD IFVs developed by GDELS meet NATO's STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection standards, armed with a 30mm cannon, anti-tank missiles, and machine guns, alongside advanced electronic architecture and battlefield management systems, providing crucial situational awareness and communication capabilities. Besides three crew members, each vehicle can carry six fully equipped soldiers, leveraging advanced technology for effective infantry operations in modern battlefield environments.