Defence Minister Andris Sprūds, who attended the signing, described the procurement as a significant step in the mechanisation of the Latvian Army’s Land Forces. He also highlighted the importance of the national defence industry’s involvement in supporting the new fighting vehicles.
Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Vice President of GDELS Global Sales, expressed pride in Latvia’s selection of the ASCOD vehicle. “We are grateful and proud that our ASCOD infantry fighting vehicle has been selected by the Latvian National Armed Forces as the winner of an international competition. It demonstrates the superior capabilities of GDELS’ tracked vehicle family ASCOD, with more than 1,100 vehicles in different variants in the market,” he stated.
Alejandro Page Hernandez emphasised the company’s commitment to working closely with Latvia’s defence industry. “We are looking forward to collaborating with the national defence industry to jointly strengthen Latvia’s military capabilities and to proudly deliver this great vehicle to our new customer, the Latvian National Armed Forces,” he added.
The ASCOD is a modular vehicle based on the Common Base Platform concept developed by GDELS. It combines superior tactical manoeuvrability with advanced mine protection and modular additional armour, ensuring adaptability for various mission roles.
Equipped with NATO STANAG 4569 level four armour, an automatic cannon, anti-tank weapons, a machine gun, and state-of-the-art battlefield awareness systems, the ASCOD is designed for modern combat requirements. It can accommodate a variety of turrets from different manufacturers, ranging from 25mm to 120mm calibre, as well as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM).
The ASCOD belongs to the 40-tonne-plus vehicle class, offering sufficient payload capacity for future technology developments. Its open-architecture design ensures compatibility with different mission configurations while reducing complexity and costs.
The procurement process began in early 2023 with a feasibility study assessing potential suppliers. Functional tests were conducted in autumn 2023 to evaluate operational performance, followed by a detailed assessment of costs, equipment availability, delivery timelines, and local industry engagement.
Latvia’s State Defence Concept prioritises strengthening national defence through enhanced firepower, anti-aircraft and coastal defence, and long-range missile artillery. Acquiring infantry fighting vehicles aligns with NATO Capability Development Goals and supports Latvia’s long-term military modernisation strategy.
General Dynamics European Land Systems, a European business unit of General Dynamics Corporation, is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. The company employs approximately 3,000 people and operates production facilities in Austria, Germany, Romania, Spain, and Switzerland, specialising in armoured combat vehicles, amphibious bridges, and ferry systems.