Latvia Doubles ASCOD IFV Fleet With Purchase of 42 More Units

Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal from the Ministry of Defense to purchase an additional 42 ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles.

This was announced in an official press release from the Latvian Ministry of Defense.

According to the statement, the new order will support NATO defense capability development goals and accelerate the formation of a mechanized infantry brigade within the Latvian Land Forces. It will also enable the rearmament of another battalion in the near term.

Spanish defense contractor GDELS–Santa Bárbara Sistemas will supply the vehicles. The contract’s total value is €387 million, or roughly €9.2 million per unit.

The first deliveries under the new contract are expected in 2027.

With this order, Latvia’s total ASCOD fleet will grow to 84 vehicles, doubling the number from the original order.

Background on Latvia’s ASCOD acquisition

The initial contract for ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles was signed on January 30, 2025, for the same amount — €387 million.

The procurement process was launched in early 2023 and involved multiple stages, including a comprehensive preliminary evaluation of potential suppliers.

In autumn 2023, various infantry fighting vehicles underwent functional testing to assess their performance in real-world conditions.

Following the tests, the Latvian National Armed Forces conducted a detailed analysis, weighing operational requirements, technical characteristics, equipment configurations, lifecycle costs, delivery timelines, and local industry involvement.

Based on this evaluation, the ASCOD platform was selected. The first batch is expected to enter service by autumn 2026.

At the same time, Latvia is also investing in domestic defense-industrial capacity.

As part of its strategic partnership with GDELS–Santa Bárbara Sistemas, partial localization of production is planned.

The final assembly and maintenance of ASCOD vehicles will take place at the Defense Partnership Latvia (DPL) facility in Valmiera, which opened in May 2024.