The country led by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has announced that it will begin negotiations with the Spanish company GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas to purchase ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles with the aim of strengthening its military arsenal. As justified by its Minister of Defense, Andris Sprūds, it is an initiative that Its main purpose is to improve the mobility and power of the country’s forces.
The negotiations, which began in early 2023, are expected to reach an agreement before the end of the year or the beginning of next. Previously, a feasibility study was carried out to preselect the best competitors. Although the price and details of the acquisition have not yet been revealed, the country has announced that it will try to achieve the objectives agreed with NATO regarding the development of military capabilities. In 2021, the Spanish company has already signed an agreement with Latvia to supply the M3 amphibious bridge and a ferry system across the United States.
ASCOD combat vehicles
The ASCODs (Austrian Spanish Cooperation Development) arise from an agreement between the Austrian firm Styr-Daimler-Puch AG and the Spanish company General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas. The family consists of an ambulance, an artillery observer, the AIFV model, a surface-to-air missile launcher, an anti-tank guided missile launcher, a mortar carrier, an R&R vehicle, a command control vehicle and the tank. light LT 105.
This type of vehicles are operational in several armed forces around the world, among which are Spain, Austria, United States, United Kingdom and Philippines. Some of the characteristics that stand out are its “great maneuverability” and its armor.
