Citing information reported by the South Korean business magazine “Business Korea” on March 27, 2023, Latvia appears to be leaning towards enhancing its military capabilities with the addition of South Korea’s advanced K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). Manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, the K21 is in the running to become the cornerstone of Latvia’s armed forces’ combat vehicles arsenal.
Latvia’s Ministry of Defense is in the midst of an extensive evaluation process to select a suitable IFV to increase its armed forces’ combat capabilities. The project outlines the acquisition of 100 state-of-the-art IFVs to bolster the nation’s defense capabilities. Among the contenders are Hanwha Aerospace’s K21, the ASCOD by General Dynamics European Land Systems, and the Tulpar from the Turkish defense manufacturer, Otokar.
Over a rigorous three-week testing phase conducted in October 2023, the K21 underwent comprehensive assessments focusing on its mobility and firepower capabilities. According to the tests conducted by the Latvian armed forces, the K21 emerged as a frontrunner, outperforming its competitors significantly in both evaluated aspects. The vehicle’s superior firepower, coupled with its competitive pricing—being 30-40% cheaper than its counterparts—has positioned it as the likely choice for Latvia.