The Department of National Defence will purchase light tactical vehicles for its troops stationed in Latvia.

The Department of National Defence reported on this.

Canada plans to purchase 90 Light Tactical Vehicles for Canadian Army personnel deployed in Latvia, which will provide better capabilities for deployment and border patrol.

$35.8 million will be allocated for the purchase, which will be used to buy the LTVs themselves and additional equipment for them.

To deliver these vehicles, Canada has finalized a contract with GM Defense Canada Company for 36 cargo and 54 personnel variants of the vehicle.

The personnel version is designed for teams of up to nine soldiers and is ideal for rapid infantry unit deployment.

The contract also includes integrated logistics support and up to two years of spare parts for the LTV fleet, as well as an option to procure up to an additional 18 LTV.

The first five vehicles are expected to arrive in Canada later this month. Initial Cadre Training by the Canadian Army is expected to begin in late August 2024.

The remaining vehicles are expected to arrive in Latvia in early October 2024.

“The procurement of the Light Tactical Vehicle for members of our Armed Forces deployed in Latvia is an example of our commitment to supporting the safety and modernization of our military, enabling it to better operate in a more complex and rapidly changing environment,” Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, said.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Department of National Defence will purchase RBS-70NG man-portable air-defense systems to protect its troops in Latvia.

The purchase of MANPADS from the Swedish company Saab should create air defense units within the Canadian Army, which have been completely disbanded since the early 2000s.