Latvia has presented its first Hunter infantry fighting vehicle at Patria’s Valmiera facility, signaling the start of local final assembly for a major armored vehicle acquisition program valued at nearly €800 million.The Hunter has been developed by General Dynamics European Land Systems and is based on the ASCOD tracked vehicle family. It is being acquired to improve the combat effectiveness and maneuverability of Latvia’s Mechanized Infantry Brigade.The Latvian government has contracted for 84 Hunter vehicles, with deliveries scheduled through 2027. GDELS is responsible for providing the core platforms, while Patria will conduct final assembly, integrate components, and provide long-term maintenance support. The arrangement also strengthens Latvia’s domestic defense-industrial participation.Protection and firepower are central features of the Hunter. The tracked vehicle provides NATO Level 4 protection and can be configured with an automatic cannon, anti-tank guided weapons, and a machine gun for additional defensive capability.A three-member crew operates the vehicle, while the troop compartment can accommodate as many as eight personnel. Depending on its configuration, the Hunter can weigh up to 45 tonnes and carry a payload of approximately 10 tonnes.The vehicle is powered by a 1,100-horsepower engine, allowing it to reach about 70 km/h. With a range of roughly 500 km, the platform gives Latvian forces a combination of protection, mobility, and battlefield endurance suited to mechanized infantry operations.
