The procedure for the purchase of infantry fighting vehicles was started at the beginning of 2023, with the selection of several potential suppliers as part of a feasibility study. In the fall of 2023, functional tests were conducted to obtain data on the operational capabilities of the various platforms. The Ministry of Defense has decided to continue contract negotiations with the Spanish company "GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas" for the possible purchase of ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles in order to strengthen land defense capabilities. "Experts from the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces have conducted a thorough analysis in order to select the combat vehicles most suitable for our needs, which will increase the mobility capabilities and firepower of the Land Forces," emphasizes Defense Minister Andris Spruds. In accordance with the adopted decision, contract negotiations with the Spanish merchant were initiated, which could be concluded at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year. Criteria such as the results of functional tests, the price of the platforms, delivery dates and the participation of the local industry were evaluated in the decision-making process. ASCOD base model infantry fighting vehicles are currently used by the armed forces of Spain, Austria, Great Britain, the United States and the Philippines. It has already been reported that the procedure for the purchase of infantry fighting vehicles was started at the beginning of 2023, with the selection of several potential suppliers as part of a thorough feasibility study. In the fall of 2023, functional tests of suppliers' infantry fighting vehicle platforms were conducted to obtain data on the operational capabilities of the platforms. After the functional tests, the National Armed Forces conducted an in-depth evaluation of the obtained results according to the operational needs of the armed forces. Also, the costs of the platforms, the available equipment, the fulfillment of the local industry's involvement requirements, the delivery dates and other aspects were evaluated. According to the concept of national defense, the armed forces must develop capabilities by increasing firepower and distances that prevent the adversary from operating freely in the air, at sea and on land. At the same time, the capabilities of air defense, coastal defense and long-range missile artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles should be continued, as well as infantry combat platforms should be introduced into the arsenal. Also within the framework of NATO's capability development goals, the ability of infantry fighting vehicles is put forward as one of the priorities, and their introduction in Latvia will support the fulfillment of NATO's capability goals. The Latvian Ministry of Defense and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS)-Santa Bárbara Sistemas entered contract negotiations for new tracked combat vehicles. The Latvian Ministry lately confirmed November 18, 2024 that the ASCOD from GDELS was selected after an international competition with extensive functional tests. Alejandro Page, GDELS Vice President for Programs, commented on the decision: “This decision again demonstrates the excellence of GDELS in the field of tracked vehicles. The ASCOD is a state-of-the-art combat vehicle that fully meets the complex demands of today’s mission profiles.” “The ASCOD will provide a significant increase in mobility, firepower and protection to the National Armed Forces of Latvia, and at the same time guarantee a considerable workshare for the domestic defense industry,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS Vice President for Global Sales. The ASCOD is already in use in different variants and configurations in the armed forces of five countries: Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines, with 1,200 units in service or under contract. ASCOD is a modular vehicle design based on the successful Common Base Platform concept developed by GDELS. The ASCOD offers a large interior volume with very compact dimensions and combines superior tactical maneuverability with excellent mine protection and modular additional armor. GDELS delivers ASCOD to its customers with open architecture in a variety of variants and roles, all utilizing the same base platform, reducing complexity and costs while enabling custom solutions. For firepower, the ASCOD can accommodate a variety of turrets from different manufacturers ranging from 25mm to 120mm caliber, as well as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM). ASCOD’s open architecture enables NATO interoperability and the integration of subsystems from different manufacturers. The ASCOD is a proven and modern combat vehicle that meets current and future requirements.
Latvia Army Equipment |
Modernization |
||||||||||||
| 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2021 | 2025 | 2030 | ||||
| Personnel | ,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Active | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
| Reserve | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
| Equipment | Source | Inventory | |||||||||||
| Armor | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Light Tanks -20 tons | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30mm | Scimitar | UK | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Infantry Fighting Vehicles | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 7.62 mm | Spartan (Thunder) | UK | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| mm | FV-107 Scimitar | UK | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Armored Personnel Carriers Tracked | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| mm | FV-103 Spartan | UK | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Armored Personnel Carriers, Wheeled | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Patria 6x6 | FI | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 125 | 300 | ||
| Artillery, Self-Propelled | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 155mm | M109A5Oe | UK/AT | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Artillery, Towed | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 100mm | K-53 | Country | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 90mm | PVPJ 1110 | Country | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Mortars | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 120mm | NATO | TBD | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | + | + | |
| Artillery, Anti-Aircraft | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 40mm | Bofors L/70 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
| Anti-Tank Guns | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 84mm | AT-4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
| 84mm | Carl Gustav M2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
| Anti-Tank Missiles | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Spike-LR | IS | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
| Anti-Aircraft Missiles | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| RBS-70 | SE | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
| FIM-92 Stinger | USA | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |||
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