Latvian ASCOD IFVs to enter service next year as country’s land programmes surge
Latvia has ordered 42 ASCOD IFVs. (Photo: Patria)
Latvia is buying Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development (ASCOD) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The country is investing widely including in the purchase of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Patria 6×6 vehicles, TRML-4D air defence radars and air defence systems and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Latvia is to receive its first ASCOD IFV in June next year, only 18 months after signing up to purchase 42 vehicles for €373 million (US$423 million) in January this year.
Patria and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Barbara Sistemas have jointly announced the start of a strategic collaboration at the Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) armoured vehicle production facility in Valmiera
The plant will handle the assembly and maintenance of ASCOD IFVs for Latvia with the first production units expected in June 2026 with the vehicles entering service a few months later.
Uģis Romanovs, chairman of the board at Patria Latvia
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![First gun barrels for British Army howitzers due from Rheinmetall’s new UK factory in 2027]()
First gun barrels for British Army howitzers due from Rheinmetall’s new UK factory in 2027
The new Rheinmetall facility will supply barrels for UK RCH 155 howitzers and Challenger 3 tanks while also opening up potential export opportunities, providing a currently absent national capability.
-
![Lithuania increases ground capability and spending in a high-threat environment]()
Lithuania increases ground capability and spending in a high-threat environment
It has been more than two decades since Lithuania joined the EU and NATO, which followed the country’s independence from the USSR almost 15 years before that. The country is now in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war with air incursions from Russian ally Belarus.
-
![Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres]()
Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres
Even small tactical vehicles can benefit from more powerful offensive and defensive armament, but as recent developments at Yugoimport demonstrate, there are still limitations to the sophistication of what can be fielded.
