Latvia purchases surplus British Army armoured vehicles

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 4 September that it has sold 123 surplus combat reconnaissance armoured vehicles to the Latvian Army in a £39.4 million package.

The vehicles - understood to be Scimitar, Scorpion and Samaritan vehicles of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of vehicles - have previously used by UK forces on operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the MoD, the vehicles became available following the strategic defence and security review in 2010 in which they were identified as surplus to requirements as the UK’s armed forces restructure to better meet the challenges they will face in the future.

The vehicles, which will be overhauled and refurbished under the package, will give the Latvian Army enhanced transportation capabilities for infantry, reconnaissance teams, air defence sections and mortar fire controllers. They will also provide vital battlefield capabilities including ambulances, armoured command vehicles and armoured recovery vehicles.

Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, said: ‘I am delighted that Latvia will soon benefit from these proven and life-saving battlefield capabilities, including ambulances and command centres.

‘This is just one way we are supporting our Baltic NATO allies. As a leading member of NATO the UK is keen to restate publicly our support for the collective security of its members and enable our partners to contribute to international peacekeeping and security operations.’

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