Latvia selects ASCOD, orders Patria 6×6 C2 vehicles

GDELS–Santa Bárbara Sistemas announced on 15 November that it had entered contract negotiations with the Latvian MoD on ASCOD. (GDELS)

Latvia has selected the ASCOD tracked armoured vehicle and ordered Patria 6×6 command-and-control (C2) armoured vehicles. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) – Santa Bárbara Sistemas announced in a press release on 15 November that it had entered contract negotiations with the Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on ASCOD after the ministry confirmed its selection.

Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS vice-president for global sales, said, “ASCOD will provide a significant increase in mobility, firepower, and protection to the Latvian National Armed Forces, and at the same time guarantee a considerable workshare for the domestic defence industry.”

On 14 November the Latvian MoD and Patria announced that they had agreed on Latvia's purchase of 56 Patria 6×6 C2 vehicles, in addition to the ongoing procurement of vehicles under the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. Under the EUR60 million (USD63.4 million) contract, deliveries will begin at the end of 2024 and last until 2029.

The Latvian MoD said the order was for a completely new version of the Patria 6×6 vehicle developed under the CAVS research and development (R&D) programme in co-operation with the Finnish and Swedish MoDs and the armed forces. Armoured command vehicles will improve battlefield situational awareness and provide quick, efficient, and secure information, the Latvian MoD noted. Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds said, “The new Patria 6×6 armoured command-and-control vehicles will significantly improve the operational capabilities of our armed forces, as well as contribute to the development of the Latvian military industry.”