Latvia has unveiled its first Hunter infantry fighting vehicle at Patria’s manufacturing facility in Valmiera, marking a major milestone in the country’s nearly €800 million IFV procurement program.The Hunter was developed by General Dynamics European Land Systems through its Spanish subsidiary Santa Bárbara Sistemas. The vehicle is intended to strengthen Latvia’s Mechanized Infantry Brigade by providing protected mobility and additional combat capability for frontline formations.Latvia has ordered 84 Hunter vehicles through two contracts, with deliveries expected to continue through 2027. Under the industrial arrangement, GDELS supplies the vehicle platforms, while Patria performs final assembly, component integration, and long-term maintenance in Latvia. Local industrial participation is expected to represent about 30 percent of the country’s required domestic contribution.Hunter IFV FeaturesThe vehicle is derived from GDELS’ ASCOD tracked platform and incorporates NATO-standard Level 4 protection. Its weapons package includes an automatic cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, and an auxiliary machine gun.The Hunter is operated by a three-person crew and can reach a weight of approximately 45 tonnes depending on configuration. It can transport up to eight personnel while carrying an additional payload of as much as 10 tonnes.A 1,100-horsepower engine gives the vehicle a maximum road speed of around 70 km/h. Its operational range is approximately 500 km, providing Latvia with a heavily protected platform capable of supporting mechanized operations over extended distances.
