Latvia receives 65 combat reconnaissance armored vehicles from Britain
The Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) received 65 out of 123 caterpillar combat reconnaissance armored cars from the UK. This was accomplished as part of a military equipment purchase agreement made between the two countries in 2014, as reported by Baltnews citing the press service of Latvian Ministry of Defense.
The project to mechanize the land forces of the Latvian Army is divided into several phases and stages. The acquisition of 123 armored vehicles is stipulated as part of this project.
The addition of armored vehicles creates a mechanized squad in the country’s military. Before delivery, they undergo major overhauls and modernizations. The report says that the remaining vehicles are scheduled to be delivered before 2020.
The contract includes a complete renewal and overhaul of 123 vehicles, spare parts, and training for Latvian specialists. All this will cost €46.6 million.
As reported by Delfi, citing the original document, the protocol for Latvia and Great Britain’s intention to conclude an agreement on the purchase of 120 British Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (Tracked) in May 2014 was signed in February of the same year. According to the Latvian Ministry of Defense, the total cost of the agreement was to be about 4.727 million rubles (€ 70 million). The plan for the development of the Latvian Armed Forces provides for the implementation of the mechanization project 2014 to 2020.
The first M2A3 Bradley armored vehicles and M1A2 Abrams tanks were delivered to Latvia in March 2015 during the Atlantic Resolve training operation, which the U.S. conducts in the Baltic States and Poland.