Breaking News
ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle Chosen as Latvia’s New Tactical Solution for Ground Forces.
On November 15, 2024, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) officially announced Latvia’s decision to select the ASCOD tracked infantry fighting vehicle for its armed forces. This confirmation follows an earlier statement on November 11, 2024, from the Latvian Ministry of Defense about ongoing negotiations with GDELS. The selection of the ASCOD comes after a rigorous international competition and functional testing process, marking a significant milestone in Latvia’s efforts to enhance the mobility, firepower, and protection of its armed forces.
The ASCOD stands out for its ability to meet the complex demands of current missions, thanks to its modular design and proven performance (Picture source: GDELS)
The ASCOD is a next-generation tracked armored vehicle developed collaboratively by Santa Bárbara Sistemas in Spain and Steyr in Austria, both now part of GDELS. Designed to meet the demands of modern missions, it features a modular structure adaptable to various roles, including an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). Built for challenging terrains, it achieves a top speed of 70 km/h and a range of 500 km, powered by either a 600 kW MTU V-8 engine or an 810 kW SCANIA V-8 engine, coupled with a Renk automatic transmission. Its torsion bar suspension system and dual rubber wheels ensure optimal maneuverability and stability.
The ASCOD offers flexible armament configurations. The APC variant is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station featuring a 12.7 mm machine gun, while the IFV version includes a turret with either a 30 or 40 mm cannon and anti-tank missile launchers. For protection, the ASCOD uses modular steel armor capable of achieving STANAG 4569 Level 6, making it resistant to mine explosions and rocket-propelled grenade attacks. It also incorporates active and passive protection systems, 360° situational awareness technologies, and nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical (NRBC) defense systems to safeguard its crew in diverse operational environments.
The ASCOD is already in service in several countries, including Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines. Originally developed in the 1990s, it entered service in 2002 and includes models such as the PIZARRO for Spain, the ULAN for Austria, and the AJAX for the UK. Its modular design offers flexibility and scalability, enabling it to meet current and future operational requirements effectively.
As highlighted by Alejandro Page, Vice President of Programs at GDELS, this choice reflects the company's expertise in the field of modern tracked vehicles. The ASCOD stands out for its ability to meet the complex demands of current missions, thanks to its modular design and proven performance. According to Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Vice President of Global Sales at GDELS, this partnership goes beyond the delivery of vehicles and extends to significant collaboration with the Latvian defense industry, ensuring knowledge transfer and substantial local involvement.
The Latvian acquisition process began in early 2023 with a feasibility study that identified potential suppliers. In the fall of 2023, functional tests were conducted to evaluate the operational capabilities of competing platforms. This detailed review helped Latvia’s armed forces assess the results based on operational needs and local industry requirements. While the exact number of vehicles and the costs remain undisclosed, this acquisition aligns with Latvia’s commitment to meeting NATO capability objectives.
The ASCOD’s architecture allows interoperability with NATO systems and integration of subsystems from multiple manufacturers. These features make it a relevant solution for addressing contemporary military challenges. By incorporating the ASCOD, Latvia aims to strengthen its defense capabilities and contribute to NATO’s collective security goals, with infantry fighting vehicles being a key priority for the alliance.
In 2021, GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas secured a contract to deliver the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system to Latvia through a partnership with the United States. This existing collaboration may facilitate timely deliveries and help meet Latvia’s specific defense requirements under the current negotiations for the ASCOD vehicles.