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The new company, owned by Patria Latvia and Unitruck, is based in Cesis and will provide services to the National Armed Forces.

The company plans to carry out maintenance and repair of military equipment and integration of military equipment systems. The founders of the joint venture believe that Defense Partnership Latvia could become part of Latvia's defense mobilization system and provide significant support in developing a comprehensive national defense system.

Jukka Holkeri, head of Patria International Support Partnerships, points out that the establishment of Defense Partnership Latvia is part of Patria's strategy to expand the company's international operations in military equipment maintenance and repairs.

"The joint venture is our long-term investment in support of the Latvian National Armed Forces. If Latvia decides to purchase the Patria 6x6 vehicle platform, we believe that Defense Partnership Latvia will become an important provider of military equipment maintenance and spare parts, thereby ensuring long-term vehicle maintenance, said Holkeri.

According to Firmas.lv, Unitruck belongs to Normunds Drilevskis. In 2018, the company posted EUR 2,451,367 in turnover and EUR 14,103 in profit.

As reported, on January 29 Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (For Development/For) and Finnish Defense Minister Anti Kaikkonen agreed on the development of a new armored vehicles system based on 6x6 vehicles manufactured by Patria.

The two countries' defense ministers signed a technical agreement on enhancing the mobility of the armed forces of Latvia and Finland.

If the research and development stage of the project goes successfully, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) might receive the first new armored vehicles already in 2021, the Defense Ministry said. The armored vehicles would be delivered on an annual basis in about ten years.

The price of the new armored vehicles will be negotiated with the manufacturer, depending on Latvia's requirements, for instance, the number of the units, their modification and variations.