WARSAW, Poland — The Latvian Ministry of Defence has officially chosen the Ascod infantry fighting vehicle to enhance the operational capabilities of its armed forces. This decision marks a significant step in Latvia’s military modernization efforts, with officials anticipating that procurement negotiations with the vehicle’s manufacturer, GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, will wrap up by the end of this year or early next year.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds highlighted the thorough analysis conducted by experts from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces to identify the most appropriate combat vehicles for the nation’s specific requirements. While details regarding the quantity of vehicles and the total estimated value of the procurement deal remain undisclosed, a spokesperson for the Defence Ministry revealed that Latvia is planning to allocate approximately €250 million (about US$265 million) for the acquisition of these advanced fighting vehicles.
The selection of the Ascod infantry fighting vehicle aligns with Latvia’s broader strategy to enhance the mobility, protection levels, and firepower of its Land Forces. In addition to the Ascod procurement, the Latvian Ministry of Defence is actively pursuing other military acquisitions, including wheeled self-propelled howitzers to further strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities.
GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the manufacturer of the Ascod vehicles, is based in Spain and is a subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems. The Ascod vehicles are already in operation with various armed forces around the world, including those of Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines. This global utilization underscores the reliability and effectiveness of the Ascod as a modern infantry fighting vehicle suitable for a range of military applications.
