First Czech CV90 MkIV rolled out as part of multi-billion-dollar programme
The Czech Republic CV9030 MkIV has a more powerful 1,000HP engine than the previous variant and an upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission.
Baltic republics team up to buy support vehicles
Volvo supplied the Estonian military with container trucks in 2020. (Photo: EDF/Ardi Hallismaa)
Estonia and Latvia are investing almost $800 million over a ten-year period in new logistics, cargo and engineering vehicles.
With most of the utility and logistics vehicles in service with the Estonian Defence Forces set to reach the end of their service life in 2028-2035, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) and the Latvian MoD are cooperating on the joint procurement of new platforms for their respective militaries.
In a 7 February statement, ECDI estimated the cost of the two-phase public procurement at €693 million ($791.81 million) over a ten-year period.
‘We intend to find a partner who would supply the defence forces of both countries with vehicles of 16 different types over the next ten years,’ said Toomas Kalda, ECDI vehicle category manager. ‘This generational shift will include both used vehicles obtained from our nearest allies and completely new vehicles, depending on usage intensity and financial benefits.’
In the first phase of the programme, Estonia and Latvia intend to buy vehicles with a load capacity of less than 5,000kg, followed by the procurement of heavier-capacity vehicles in the second phase.
Additionally, the framework agreement will enable mobile cranes, recovery vehicles and special airfield machinery vehicles to be bought, as well as variants with add-on armour.
Latvia in 2020 completed the procurement of 120 Unimog cargo vehicles with a load capacity of 5,000-15,000kg, while Lithuania ordered 340 refurbished (ex-German military) Unimog U5000 trucks in 2015 for €70 million with deliveries from 2016 to 2020.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![First Czech CV90 MkIV rolled out as part of multi-billion-dollar programme]()
-
![Digital backbone: bringing new capabilities to the UK defence market]()
Digital backbone: bringing new capabilities to the UK defence market
In Conversation: Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Bittium’s newly appointed general manager for UK defence, Dean Aldridge, about how the company’s tactical communications technologies can empower the British armed forces, and its ambitions for the UK market.
-
![Lockheed Martin demonstrates Spike and is selected for next stage of US Army requirement]()
Lockheed Martin demonstrates Spike and is selected for next stage of US Army requirement
The Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile is used by several countries as an air-launched weapon but the recent trials were ground-launched from a vehicle and involved three shots.
-
![Europe looks to solve tank procurement challenges with upgraded and new platforms]()
Europe looks to solve tank procurement challenges with upgraded and new platforms
The UK government in 2019 reflected a common attitude towards main battle tanks (MBTs) across Western Europe as it moved to reduce its fleet from 227 Challenger 2 vehicles to 148, which would be upgraded under a plan that eventually produced the Challenger 3. Now, however, there is an increased interest in platforms new, upgraded and planned across the continent.
-
![Patria's 6x6: protecting the eyes and ears of the battlefield]()
Patria's 6x6: protecting the eyes and ears of the battlefield
Troops are more than boots on the ground — they’re an army’s eyes and ears. Wherever the mission leads, they must get there safely. Patria’s 6x6 delivers protected, dependable mobility — without compromise.
-
![Norway and Sweden invest in further military support for Ukraine]()
Norway and Sweden invest in further military support for Ukraine
Both Sweden and Norway have committed further financial aid to the country in a bid to help boost their air defences and airborne early warning capabilities, which included commitments to replace donated Patriot Air Defence systems.
