On November 11, 2024, Latvia’s Ministry of Defense announced its intent to continue contract negotiations with the Spanish company GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas for the acquisition of ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles aimed at strengthening the country’s military capabilities. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance the mobility and firepower of Latvia’s land forces, according to Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.
The ASCOD is a next-generation tracked armored vehicle, designed in a joint effort between Spain’s Santa Bárbara Sistemas and Austria’s Steyr, both now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS). Adapted for modern missions, the ASCOD stands out for its mobility, reliability, and protection, with a modular design allowing configurations such as the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). It is built to meet challenging terrain requirements, with 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, paired with a Renk automatic transmission, providing enhanced maneuverability and stability through its torsion bar suspension system and dual rubber wheels.