Latvia has approved a second order of the 42 ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles from GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas it placed in January.
The additional vehicles will cost 387 million euros ($446 million), accelerating the development of the country’s mechanized infantry brigade by equipping another battalion.
“We must continue to focus on strengthening combat capabilities — in parallel with air defense 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,” Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds emphasized.
“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.”
Being a neighbor of Russia, Latvia has been bolstering its defense since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As part of the process, the country signed an agreement with Sweden for the procurement of 18 Archer 8×8 self-propelled artillery systems.
Local Involvement
The first ASCOD is planned to be delivered as early as 2026, while deliveries for the second contract will commence in 2027.
The first order will involve local industry by at least 30 percent, starting from component supply to platform assembly, and the establishment of a service center in Latvia.
At least 10 Latvian businesses are expected to be involved in the process.
ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle
The vehicle comes with NATO STANAG 4569 level four armor for protection from kinetic and mine blast threats.
It is manned by a crew of three and can accommodate a group of six soldiers along with combat equipment.
In terms of firepower, it is armed with an autocannon, anti-tank weapons, machine guns, and advanced battlefield situational awareness technologies.
