Lettland verhandelt über den Kauf von ASCOD-Schützenpanzern
Das lettische Verteidigungsministerium hat nach eigenen Angaben beschlossen, die Vertragsverhandlungen mit General Dynamics European Land Systems – Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS) über den möglichen Erwerb von ASCOD-Schützenpanzern weiterzuführen.
„Fachleute des Verteidigungsministeriums und der nationalen Streitkräfte haben eine gründliche Analyse durchgeführt, um die für unsere Bedürfnisse am besten geeigneten Gefechtsfahrzeuge auszuwählen, die die Mobilitätsfähigkeiten und die Feuerkraft der Landstreitkräfte erhöhen werden“, wird Verteidigungsminister Andris Spruds in der Meldung zitiert.
Weiterhin heißt es, dass im Einklang mit der Entscheidung Vertragsverhandlungen mit GDELS aufgenommen wurden, die voraussichtlich Ende dieses oder Anfang nächsten Jahres abgeschlossen sein werden. Ausschlaggebend für die Entscheidung waren nach Angaben des Verteidigungsministeriums Kriterien wie die Ergebnisse von Funktionstests, der Preis, die Lieferzeiten und die Einbeziehung der lokalen Industrie.
Aizsardzības ministrija uzsākusi līguma sarunas par kājnieku kaujas mašīnu iegādi
Aizsardzības ministrija pieņēmusi lēmumu turpināt līguma sarunas ar Spānijas uzņēmumu “GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas” par iespējamu ASCOD kājnieku kaujas mašīnu iegādi, lai stiprinātu sauszemes aizsardzības spējas.
Das lettische Verteidigungsministerium und General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) – Santa Bárbara Sistemas haben Vertragsverhandlungen über die Lieferung neuer Kettenfahrzeuge aufgenommen. Das lettische Ministerium hatte kürzlich bestätigt, dass nach einem internationalen Wettbewerb mit umfangreichen Funktionstests die Wahl auf den ASCOD von GDELS gefallen ist.
Der ASCOD ist bereits in verschiedenen Varianten und Konfigurationen in den Streitkräften von fünf Ländern eingeführt: Spanien, Österreich, Großbritannien, den USA und den Philippinen – insgesamt 1.200 Fahrzeuge in der Nutzung oder unter Vertrag.
Update: Latvia selects ASCOD, orders Patria 6×6 C2 vehicles
Latvia has selected the ASCOD tracked armoured vehicle and ordered Patria 6×6 command-and-control (C2) armoured vehicles. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS)-Santa Bárbara Sistemas announced in a press release on 15 November that it had entered contract negotiations with the Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on ASCOD after the ministry confirmed its selection.
Neither the ministry nor GDELS would disclose how many and what versions of ASCOD would be procured under ongoing negotiations at the current stage of the acquisition process, but a Latvian MoD spokesperson told Janes on 21 November that the vehicle would gradually replace the CVR(T) – Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked). Deliveries are planned to begin in 2026, although this depends on the result of the contract negotiations.
The spokesperson said that the ASCOD Common Base Platform (CBP) was competing with Otokar's Tulpar infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and an unspecified Hanwha Aerospace vehicle. South Korean media has reported the K21 IFV was competing for a contract for around 100 vehicles.
Latvia signs 373 million euro procurement contract for 42 “ASCOD” infantry fighting vehicles
On Thursday, January 30, Latvian National Armaments Director Major General Andis Dilāns and the Vice President of the Spanish company “General Dynamics European Land Systems - Santa Bárbara Sistemas” Alejandro Page Hernandez signed a 373 million euro contract to procure 42 “ASCOD” infantry fighting vehicles for the Latvian National Armed Forces.
“Procurement of new and modern infantry fighting vehicles marks a new chapter in the mechanisation of the Latvian Army's Land Forces. At the same time, this is a great agreement for our national military industry, which will take part in the provision of new fighting vehicles,” said Defence Minister A. Spruds, who attended the contract signing.
“We are grateful that our “ASCOD” infantry fighting vehicle has been selected by the Latvian National Armed Forces as the winner of an international competition. We are looking forward to collaborating with the national defense industry to jointly strengthen Latvia’s military capabilities and to proudly deliver this great vehicle to our new customer,” said A. Page Hernandez, Vice President of “General Dynamics European Land Systems - Santa Bárbara Sistemas”.
Infantry combat machines come with NATO STANAG 4569 level four armor, automatic cannon, anti-tank weapons, machine gun and other state-of-the-art technologies that will ensure soldiers situational awareness on the battlefield. The infantry fighting vehicle`s crew consist of three soldiers, and it is capable of transporting and deploying six soldiers with full combat equipment.
The procedure for procuring infantry fighting vehicles was launched in early 2023, with several potential suppliers selected as part of a thorough feasibility study. Functional tests of supplier infantry fighting vehicles were conducted in autumn 2023 to obtain data on the operational capabilities of the platforms.
Following the functional tests, the National Armed Forces carried out an in-depth assessment of the results obtained in accordance with their operational needs. Platform costs, available equipment, meeting local industry engagement requirements, delivery deadlines and other aspects were also assessed.
Under the State Defence Concept, the National Armed Forces must develop capabilities by increasing fire capacity and distances that prevent an adversary from operating freely in the air, sea and ground. At the same time, the capabilities of anti-aircraft defense, coastal defense and long-range missile artillery and drones should be further developed, as well as infantry fighting vehicle platforms should be procured. Infantry Fighting Vehicle capability is also set as one of the priorities within the framework of NATO Capability Development Goals.
GDELS to supply Latvia with ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia has awarded GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas a contract for the delivery of an initial batch of 42 ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) including logistic support. This IFV is the latest generation and member of GDELS` tracked vehicle family ASCOD signaling the customer specific features of the Latvian Army. The acquisition decision followed an international competition with extensive functional trials by the Latvian National Armed Forces. The initial contract has a value of approximately €373M.
A GDELS spokesperson told Janes on 3 February that his company has a two-year delivery plan, with the first deliveries to take place in 2026 and deliveries to be completed during 2027. Asked by Janes how many more will be ordered and when, he said, “Any potential follow-up is optional.” He noted that the first batch were all IFVs, with the possibility of ordering other versions in the future based on the same ASCOD Common Base Platform (CBP).
The GDELS press release included a photo of an ASCOD vehicle equipped with composite rubber tracks from Soucy and the MT30 two-man turret from Elbit Systems armed with an MK44 Bushmaster 30 mm automatic cannon. The GDELS spokesperson said, “The photo shows the vehicle tested during the trials. The final configuration will be close to that but we cannot release specific details at this stage.”
Elbit Systems Awarded Approximately $100 Million Contract for UT30 MK2 by GDELS to Equip a NATO European Country
The UT30 MK2 Turret Systems will enhance the firepower and survivability of ASCOD vehicles. This contract marks another important milestone in Elbit's expanding footprint in Europe and its growing operations across the continent.
Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded a contract worth approximately $100 million to supply its advanced UT30 MK2 unmanned turret systems to General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS). The systems will be installed on the ASCOD armored fighting vehicles and supplied to a NATO European country.
Under the contract, which is to be executed until the end of 2027, the company will supply its UT30 MK2 unmanned turret, equipped with gunner and Commander sights, as well as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) and Level 4 protection. The turrets will be produced with the industrial cooperation of local companies, supporting a secure supply chain and local support capabilities.
The UT30 MK2 is a configurable manned and unmanned turret that enhances the firepower of armored personnel carriers (APCs) without compromising troop safety. Its modular design and open architecture allow for both unmanned and manned turret configurations, with easy conversion between the two and integration of various missiles and sights. Featuring a very low profile, the UT30MK2 integrates a wide array of weapon systems, including a 30mm main gun, a coaxial 7.62mm, and ATGMs. It also includes a protection suite with various levels of protection, the Iron Fist Active Protection System, and other countermeasures. These are integrated with advanced electro-optic systems—all developed in-house—to provide reliable, high-performance firepower on the battlefield.
Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager Elbit Systems Land: "We are very proud to have been selected by an additional NATO European user following the very successful firing tests evaluation on the ASCOD platform". He added, “We value our collaboration with GDELS and are honored to collaborate in this project with our advanced turret solutions, which enhance firepower, protection, and operational effectiveness. This contract reflects the trust placed in our capabilities and our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern land forces.”
