Latvia Buys ASCOD Hunter IFVs to Boost Baltic Defense

-
Hunter IFV GDELS

Latvia has signed a €387 million ($387 million) contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems–Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS) for the procurement of 42 ASCOD Hunter Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). This landmark agreement, finalized on June 30, 2025, marks a significant step in modernizing Latvia’s armored forces and enhancing its role in regional security.

The ASCOD Hunter IFV represents the latest evolution of the ASCOD tracked vehicle family, a platform renowned for its battlefield reliability across European armies. Latvia’s decision to expand its fleet with this advanced variant underscores its commitment to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank amid growing regional tensions.

The Hunter IFV is engineered with modular armor, adaptable weapons systems, and cutting-edge electronic architecture. These features ensure operational flexibility in both offensive and defensive scenarios, making it a formidable asset in hybrid warfare environments. The vehicle’s compatibility with NATO interoperability standards was confirmed through extensive testing along alliance borders.

Each ASCOD Hunter IFV is equipped with:

  • NATO STANAG 4569 level four armor

  • An automatic cannon

  • Anti-tank weapons

  • Machine guns

  • Advanced battlefield situational awareness systems

The vehicle supports a three-person crew and can transport six fully equipped soldiers, offering enhanced mobility and protection in combat zones. Compared to other European IFVs like the CV90 and Puma, the Hunter strikes a balance between cost-efficiency, modularity, and proven performance. While the Puma excels in protection and the CV90 in situational awareness, the Hunter’s emphasis on localized production and NATO-wide compatibility makes it a strategic choice for mid-sized European militaries.

Beyond the hardware, the deal includes a robust industrial collaboration. At least 30% of the contract will involve Latvian companies, contributing to component procurement, final assembly, and the establishment of a domestic service center. This initiative not only boosts Latvia’s defense capabilities but also stimulates its national defense industry.

Deliveries from this contract are scheduled to begin in 2027, complementing a previous agreement signed in January 2024 for an initial batch of 42 ASCOD vehicles. Together, these contracts will bring Latvia’s total ASCOD fleet to 84 units.

Latvia’s acquisition aligns with its State Defence Concept, which prioritizes improvements in firepower, air defense, coastal protection, long-range artillery, and drone capabilities. The ASCOD Hunter IFVs are a cornerstone of this modernization effort, enhancing the maneuverability, firepower, and survivability of Latvia’s Mechanised Infantry Brigade.

Defense Minister Andris Sprūds emphasized the importance of this procurement, stating that it significantly boosts Latvia’s ability to fulfill NATO’s capability development goals and national defense tasks.

Latvia’s €387 million investment in ASCOD Hunter IFVs is more than a military upgrade—it’s a statement of intent. It reflects a strategic vision for a more integrated, resilient, and technologically advanced European defense posture. As NATO adapts to evolving threats, Latvia’s proactive approach sets a benchmark for other member states seeking scalable and interoperable armored solutions.

Popular posts from this blog

Boeing Secures $61.2M U.S. Navy Contract to Equip P-8A Poseidon with HAAWC Long-Range High-Altitude Torpedo Glide Kits

-
Image
Boeing secured a $61.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver additional High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) modules for the Navy’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft. This development marks a notable shift in the operational role of the Poseidon platform, transitioning it from a traditional maritime patrol aircraft to a more versatile strike-capable system. P-8A Poseidon. navair.navy.mil The HAAWC system is designed to enhance the deployment of the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo by enabling launches from cruising altitudes. This is achieved through a winged kit that includes foldable wings and a GPS-guided navigation unit, allowing the torpedo to glide toward its target before deploying a parachute for water entry. The system draws on technologies previously developed for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the SLAM-ER missile, integrating lessons from long-range guided bomb programs. Operationally, the ability to launch torpedoes ...
Read more »

KC-135 Stratotanker Modernization Plan Includes Drone Deployment Capability

-
Image
The U.S. Air Force’s FY2026 budget proposal includes a notable initiative aimed at enhancing the survivability and operational flexibility of its aerial refueling fleet, specifically the KC-135 Stratotanker. Originally developed in the 1950s, the KC-135 has long served as a cornerstone of the Air Force’s global refueling operations. However, the evolving nature of modern warfare—characterized by contested airspaces and advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems—has prompted a reevaluation of the platform’s defensive capabilities. KC-135. 507arw.afrc.af.mil Central to this proposed upgrade is the integration of a Drone Delivery Mechanism (DDM), a system designed to deploy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the KC-135 in flight. This concept represents a shift from passive to active defense strategies for support aircraft. Traditional countermeasures such as chaff, flares, and infrared jamming systems like LAIRCM have provided limited protection against increasingly sop...
Read more »

SPEAR 3 Missile: Revolutionary Stand-Off Weapon Set for Early 2030s Deployment

-
Image
The SPEAR 3 missile, a cutting-edge stand-off weapon designed for precision strikes, is now expected to enter service in the early 2030s. Developed by MBDA, this missile is intended to enhance the capabilities of the UK’s F-35B fighter jets, providing them with a long-range, high-precision strike option. SPEAR 3. MBDA Background and Development The Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) project began in 2006, aiming to create a series of air-launched stand-off weapons for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SPEAR 3 missile, which shares components with the Brimstone anti-tank missile, is designed to engage mobile, fleeting, and re-locatable targets in all weather conditions, day or night. In March 2010, MBDA was awarded a £150 million contract for the assessment phase, focusing on guidance systems, warhead configurations, and test firings. A successful test launch from a Typhoon trials aircraft took place in March 2016, marking a significant milestone in its development. Integration a...
Read more »

U.S. Air Force Modernizing the B-2 Spirit with Advanced Communication and Survivability Upgrades

-
Image
B-2 Spirit. whiteman.af.mil The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a cornerstone of the United States Air Force’s strategic capabilities, is undergoing a series of communications and survivability upgrades aimed at maintaining its operational relevance until the B-21 Raider is fully fielded. These enhancements are part of a broader modernization initiative led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), specifically its Bombers Directorate and the B-2 Systems Program Office (SPO). The upgrades are being implemented through two Integrated Program Teams (IPTs): Advanced Communications and Survivability. The Advanced Communications team is focused on integrating a new beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications suite. This system is designed to significantly reduce the transfer time for real-time mission planning data and enable simultaneous transmission and reception of voice and data communications. This marks a substantial improvement over the B-2’s previous capabilities, which w...
Read more »

U.S. Navy Deploys USS Arkansas to Boost Stealth and Undersea Readiness

-
Image
USS Arkansas (SSN 800). HII On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Navy advanced its undersea warfare capabilities with the launch of the USS Arkansas (SSN 800), a Block IV Virginia-class submarine. Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) at Newport News Shipbuilding, the vessel was transferred from its construction facility to a floating dry dock and then towed to a submarine pier for final outfitting and testing. This event marks a continuation of the Navy’s strategic efforts to modernize its fleet and maintain operational readiness amid evolving maritime challenges. The USS Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the 13th delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding. Ordered in 2014, its keel was laid in November 2022, with pressure hull completion in September 2023 and christening in December 2024. Commissioning is scheduled for 2026. As part of the Block IV variant, the submarine incorporates design changes aimed at reducing lifecycle costs and increasing deployment availability. Spec...
Read more »

How Saab & General Atomics Are Enhancing MQ-9B with UAEW Capabilities

-
Image
Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have announced the development of an Unmanned Airborne Early Warning UAEW solution, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the MQ-9B unmanned aerial system. This partnership marks a significant step forward in airborne surveillance technology, offering persistent monitoring and enhanced situational awareness for military and defense applications. MQ-9B Traditional Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems have relied on manned aircraft, such as Saab’s GlobalEye, to provide long-range detection and tracking of airborne threats. However, the integration of Saab’s AEW sensors with General Atomics’ MQ-9B platform introduces a new era of unmanned surveillance, capable of operating autonomously or in conjunction with manned aircraft. This medium-altitude AEW solution is designed to complement existing AEW&C fleets while expanding operational flexibility. The MQ-9B’s long-endurance capabilities allow for continuous monitori...
Read more »