According to the Latvian Ministry of Defense on December 2, 2024, in an initiative aimed at strengthening national defense and boosting the local industry, the Latvian Armed Forces announced the advancement of their plan to purchase 30 new VR FOX 4×4 tactical vehicles, entirely manufactured in Latvia by the company VR CARS, under a contract whose amount has not been disclosed. This move is part of a comprehensive strategy to modernize military equipment while supporting the country’s technological and economic development. The VR FOX, designed to meet the demands of the varied terrains of the Baltic region, represents an important step for the Latvian army in terms of mobility and functionality.
On November 26, the Latvian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Council of Ministers approved the initial acquisition of 30 VR FOX vehicles. These vehicles, developed by VR Cars, a specialized Latvian company, are designed to operate effectively in complex environments such as dense forests, swamps, and wetlands. Influenced by lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, the VR FOX incorporates innovative solutions in transmission and suspension, as well as a 2.0-liter diesel engine provided by Ford, ensuring robustness and an impressive range of 900 kilometers.
The development of the 4×4 VR FOX tactical vehicle by the Latvian company VR Cars was strongly influenced by recent events in Ukraine, prompting Latvia to strengthen its national defense capabilities. The project began in early 2022, in response to lessons learned from the Ukrainian conflict, with the objective of designing a robust all-terrain vehicle suitable for varied environments such as dense forests and swamps. In 2023, the prototyping phase commenced, including rigorous testing that optimized the transmission and suspension and integrated a 2.0-liter diesel engine provided by Ford, ensuring a range of 900 kilometers. By summer 2024, the technical specifications and modular configurations of the VR FOX were finalized, including advanced systems such as optional rear steering and the central tire inflation system (CTIS). On November 26, 2024, the Latvian Ministry of Defense announced the approval of the initial acquisition of 30 VR FOX vehicles, marking the start of large-scale production planned for early 2025. At the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, VR Cars publicly presented the VR FOX, highlighting its exceptional capabilities and compatibility with NATO standards.