Latvia Receives First Locally Assembled Hunter IFV — Latvia has received its first locally assembled Hunter infantry fighting vehicle, launching an 84-vehicle procurement program scheduled for completion by 2029 to strengthen its armed forces and reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. General Dynamics European Land Systems–Santa Bárbara Sistemas officially handed over the tracked vehicle in Valmiera. The program is supported by two contracts signed in 2025 with a combined value of 760 million euros ($849 million). Alongside the handover, Patria laid the foundation for a new manufacturing facility in Valmiera to support local assembly, production, and long-term maintenance. Latvia requires at least 30 percent domestic industrial participation, while a 13-year contract will secure local sustainment through December 2037. Based on General Dynamics’ ASCOD platform, the Hunter features NATO-standard Level 4 armour, an automatic cannon, anti-tank weapons, and a machine gun. Depending on the variant, it weighs approximately 45 tonnes and can accommodate up to 10 tonnes of additional payload. The vehicle carries a crew of three and six fully equipped soldiers and is powered by a 1,100-horsepower engine, delivering a top speed of 70 kilometres per hour and an operational range of around 500 kilometres.
