Autor fotografie: GDELS, Public domain|Popisek: ASCOD
The Latvian Ministry of Defense and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) – Santa Bárbara Sistemas have entered contract negotiations for new tracked combat vehicles.
The Latvian Ministry lately confirmed that the ASCOD from GDELS was selected after an international competition with extensive functional tests. The Latvian army decided to replace its CVR(T) – Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) – with the ASCOD 2 platform. Among the competitors were the Swedish CV90, the South-Korean K21 and the Turkish Tulpar. The procedure for the purchase of infantry fighting vehicles was started at the beginning of 2023. Alejandro Page, GDELS Vice President for Programs, commented on the decision: “This decision again demonstrates the excellence of GDELS in the field of tracked vehicles. The ASCOD is a state-of-the-art combat vehicle that fully meets the complex demands of today’s mission profiles.”
ASCOD guarantees considerable workshare for the domestic defense industry
„Experts from the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces have conducted a thorough analysis in order to select the combat vehicles most suitable for our needs, which will increase the mobility capabilities and firepower of the Land Forces,“ said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds. “The ASCOD will provide a significant increase in mobility, firepower and protection to the National Armed Forces of Latvia, and at the same time guarantee a considerable workshare for the domestic defense industry,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS Vice President for Global Sales. The ASCOD is already in use in different variants and configurations in the armed forces of five countries: Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines, with 1,200 units in service or under contract.
ASCOD is a modular vehicle design based on the successful Common Base Platform concept developed by GDELS. The ASCOD offers a large interior volume with very compact dimensions and combines superior tactical maneuverability with excellent mine protection and modular additional armor. GDELS delivers ASCOD to its customers with open architecture in a variety of variants and roles, all utilizing the same base platform, reducing complexity and costs while enabling custom solutions.
ASCOD’s open architecture enables NATO interoperability
For firepower, the ASCOD can accommodate a variety of turrets from different manufacturers ranging from 25mm to 120mm caliber, as well as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM). ASCOD’s open architecture enables NATO interoperability and the integration of subsystems from different manufacturers. The ASCOD is a proven and modern combat vehicle that meets current and future requirements. It entered service with the Spanish and Austrian armies in 2002. The British Army received its first ASCOD SV in 2020.
The Latvian army has obtained 123 ex-British Army CVR(T) Scimitar, Sultan, Spartan, Samson and Samaritan vehicles. First deliveries to the Latvian Land Forces started in September 2015 with some of these vehicles used as mobile platforms for 4th generation Spike anti-tank guided missile systems. 74 additional vehicles were ordered in 2019. In September 2024 Latvia announced it would donate an unknown number of their CVR(T) vehicles to Ukraine. In cash terms, Latvia’s defence sector has provided military support in the amount of EUR 370 million, including unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, howitzers, weapons and personal equipment, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, Stinger air defence systems, radars, ration packs, IT equipment, land vehicles, petrol and various weapons systems. In 2024, the Latvian government's planned support to Ukraine will exceed €200 million, including military aid of approximately €112 million, equivalent to 0.25% of GDP.
Source: GDELS, mod.gov.lv