• Land Warfare

  Estonia builds up defences by strengthening its CV90 fleet

  25th January 2024

  Estonia has been enhancing its defence capabilities by acquiring and upgrading various armoured vehicles including the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, the Otokar Arma (6x6) armoured personnel carrier (APC) and the Nurol Makina NMS (4x4) armoured vehicle.

• Land Warfare

  Kongsberg to supply more air defence systems to Lithuania

  14th December 2023

  The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) was originally developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon to meet the requirements of the Royal Norwegian Air Force but is now in service with 13 countries.

• Land Warfare

  The US Government approves the sale of long-range artillery and rocket systems to Latvia

  25th October 2023

  Under the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Latvia could receive M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

• Land Warfare

  Sweden receives first batch of Patria 6x6 APCs

  27th October 2023

  The Patria 6x6 is being developed as a common base platform for the Estonian, Finnish and Latvian armed forces, all of which require a new protected mobility vehicle, with Sweden ordering an initial 20.

• Land Warfare

  NATO tests robotic capabilities at multi-domain operations trials

  2nd November 2023

  The 2023 Next-Generation Communication Networks Technology event featured innovative technologies transforming the battlefield, including drones, ground-robotic systems and a robot dog.

• Training

  NATO, Latvia team up to test 5G for military comms solutions

  4th September 2023

  A Latvian-NATO operational technology exploration scheduled for October will involve trials with virtual and augmented realities, uncrewed vehicles, sensors and applications within a tactical 5G bubble.

• Land Warfare

  Netherlands orders General Dynamics floating bridges

  24th July 2023

  General Dynamics European Land Systems has received an order from the Royal Netherlands Army for three Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) floating bridge systems.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Bayraktar TB2 UAV living up to expectations?

  15th September 2023

  Sold to well over 20 countries and combat-proven in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Bayraktar TB2 has been an export success for its Turkish manufacturer. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the aircraft's design and capabilities and reviews in depth who is buying it and why.

• Land Warfare

  Finland signs deal for up to 161 CAVS armoured vehicles

  6th June 2023

  Finland has signed a firm contract for 91 Patria 6x6 Common Armoured Vehicle Systems (CAVS) vehicles, with an option to acquire 70 more.

• Land Warfare

  Finland signs deal for up to 161 CAVS armoured vehicles

  6th June 2023

  Finland has signed a firm contract for 91 Patria 6x6 Common Armoured Vehicle Systems (CAVS) vehicles, with an option to acquire 70 more.

• Land Warfare

  Major UGV trial in Estonia evaluates autonomy

  6th July 2023

  A two-day trial of large UGVs focused on evaluating autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance and point-to-point travel in various scenarios.

• Defence Notes

  Over half of NATO members to miss the mark on defence spending

  20th July 2023

  Although the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been driving military expenditure upward worldwide, only 11 out of 30 NATO countries are expected to meet or exceed the 2% mark in 2023.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia, Latvia kick off joint procurement of Iris-T air defence missiles

  24th May 2023

  Estonia and Latvia have selected the Diehl IRIS-T as their preferred solution for the joint procurement of a medium-range air defence system.

• Training

  Canada and Latvia commit to jointly train Ukrainian combat leaders

  11th May 2023

  Canada reaffirms its commitment to Latvia's security and expands its training mission in Ukraine with the Latvian National Armed Forces, aiming to provide leadership development training for Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  Taiwan expands its HIMARS order, amidst ongoing indigenous AFV production

  31st May 2023

  Taiwan continues to boost its inventory of artillery, tanks and armoured vehicles, in the face of a rising martial threat from China.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Latvian Drones (2024) (Ukraine Aid) [Latvia]

  Background Ukrainian Defence Contact Group (UDCG) In January 2024, the Ukrainian Defence Contact Group (UDCG), a multi-nation organisation that coordinates military aid for Ukraine, established a drone ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Latvia]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform was first announced in December 2019, when ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Latvia - Batch 2]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform was first announced in December 2019, when ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ASCOD [Latvia - Second Batch]

  Programme Background Latvia began a selection process in early 2023 for a future IFV to replace its small fleet of ex-British CVR(T) tracked vehicles. Seeking ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 (Ukraine Aid) [Latvia]

  Programme Background Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Latvia has been part of the allied coalition providing Ukraine with military support. Previous Latvian ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ASCOD [Latvia]

  Programme Background Latvia began a selection process in early 2023 for a future IFV to replace its small fleet of ex-British CVR(T) tracked vehicles.  Seeking ...

• MRZR 2 (Forecast) (Latvia)

  Programme Background The Latvian Armed Forces have identified a need for off-road tactical military vehicles that will help to increase the responsiveness of its expeditionary ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Latvia]

  Programme Background Factory Visit On 7 June 2021, Baykar's official Twitter account announced that the Latvian Minister of Defence, Artis Pabrikis, had visited the Baykar ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Denmark]

  Programme Background  Programme History The Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme brings together Finland, Germany, Latvia and Sweden to develop an armoured vehicle based on the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Finland]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform was first announced in December 2019, when ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Finland - Second Order]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform was first announced in December 2019, when ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  30,000 FPV Drones (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background IDCC On 9 January 2025, the UK MoD announced that 30,000 FPV drones would be sent to Ukraine after the awarding of £45 million ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Finland - Third Order]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform was first announced in December 2019, when ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS (Batch 1) [Sweden]

  Programme Background Programme History Estonia, Finland and Latvia's intention to jointly develop and procure a new APC platform were first announced in December 2019, when ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6 CAVS [Germany]

  Programme Background  Programme History The Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme brings together Finland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia and Sweden to develop an armoured vehicle based on ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  BEAK

  The BEAK is a Latvian man-portable quadcopter UAV, manufactured by Origin Robotics. It features an EO/IR camera payload and can host up to six munitions. ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  iSea-30HD

  The iSea-30HD is part of the iSea family of compact observation systems designed for the harsh maritime environment. It features highly sensitive sensors, gyro-stabilization, and ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ASOC

  Under a contract awarded to Lockheed Martin by the USAF Electronic Systems Center in May 1997, the company is providing Air Sovereignty Operations Centers (ASOCs) ...

• Crew-served grenade launchers

  GMG

  Heckler & Koch developed the 40mm Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) to meet the requirements of the German Army. The GMG has been selected by users ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ASCOD Common Base Platform

  GDELS unveiled a new variant of its tracked ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development) IFV based on the new Common Base Platform (CBP) at the June ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Patria 6x6

  Patria developed the Patria 6x6 APC, unveiled at the June 2018 Eurosatory exhibition, as a successor to the XA-series Pasi APC and to complement Patria's ...

• Land: air defence radar

  TPS-77 MRR

  The TPS-77 MRR is a multirole radar (MRR), designed for low power consumption and is the most transportable version of the TPS-77 product line. This ...

• Land: air defence radar, Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  TRML-4D

  The TRML-4D is a multi-functional surveillance and target acquisition radar system developed by Hensoldt. It is the latest C-band (NATO G-band) TRS-4D radar family member, ...

• Minehunters

  Tripartite Class

  A total of 45 Tripartite-class minehunters have been built, with the original intention that the three partner nations of Belgium, France and the Netherlands would ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  IRIS-T SLM

  The IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium-Range) is a surface-to-air missile system developed by Diehl Defence as part of the IRIS-T family of missile systems. Several countries ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  VR Fox

  The VR Fox is a Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) manufactured by Latvia's VR Cars. It is currently being manufactured for the Latvian Army as part ...

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Carl-Gustaf M4

  The Carl-Gustaf M4 is a fourth-generation, lightweight 84mm recoilless rifle developed by Saab Dynamics in September 2014. It is a highly versatile shoulder-launched weapon system ...

• Light UGVs

  Natrix

  The Natrix is a multipurpose UGV developed by Brasa Defence Systems. Conceived to carry equipment and conduct CASEVAC in a wide range of environments, the system ...

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Carl-Gustaf M3

  The Carl-Gustaf M3 is the third generation of the 84mm shoulder-fired recoilless antitank gun, first fielded by the Swedish Army in 1946. Since then, it ...

• Land: air defence radar

  AN/TPS-77

  The AN/TPS-77 is an L-band medium-range ground-based air surveillance radar. The AN/TPS-77 uses an AESA and shares many characteristics and specifications with the company's AN/FPS-117, ...