Latvia doubles its order for ASCOD military vehicles / Article

“We must continue to focus on strengthening combat capabilities – in parallel with air defence and long-range missile artillery, it is important to also strengthen the capabilities of the Mechanized Brigade of the Land Forces of the National Armed Forces. The acquisition of additional infantry fighting vehicles will not only help us achieve the goals set by NATO, but will also significantly increase the ability of the mechanized infantry brigade to implement national defense tasks,” said Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.

The purchase of additional ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles is planned to be carried out from the Spanish company “GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas” and their delivery to the National Armed Forces will cost 387 million euros – equivalent to more than 9 million euros per unit. The National Armed Forces will begin receiving the first infantry fighting vehicles from this order in 2027.

With the purchase of additional infantry fighting vehicles, a total of 84 ASCOD platforms will be delivered to Latvia.

It has already been reported that in January of this year, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with the Spanish company GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas for the supply of 42 ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles to the National Armed Forces, providing for 30% involvement of local companies in the execution of the order.

It is planned that the first ASCOD combat vehicles will be delivered as early as 2026, and at least ten Latvian businesses will be involved in their delivery to the National Armed Forces. The local industry will provide a wide range of services, starting with component orders from local industry, up to the final assembly of the platform and the establishment of a service center in Latvia.

Notably, the announcement of the increased order and another announcement Tuesday about an immediate rise in Latvian troop numbers come on the eve of an important NATO summit to be held in the Netherlands June 24-25.

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