Latvia orders €387 Million Spain's GDELS HUNTER Infantry Vehicles strengthening Baltic defense and NATO mobility.

On June 30, 2025, Latvia boosts European defense integration with GDELS Spain’s HUNTER IFV strengthening NATO mobility. In a significant move to modernize its armored forces, the Latvian Ministry of Defense has signed a €387 million contract for 42 additional HUNTER infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). This decision, reflects Latvia’s strategic commitment to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank at a time when regional security concerns continue to grow. By expanding its partnership with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), Riga signals deeper European defense cooperation and sets a benchmark for multinational armored vehicle frameworks.
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By investing in this new generation of the ASCOD family, Riga strengthens its national resilience while sending a clear signal that European countries are ready to shape a more integrated, capable, and adaptable armored force posture for NATO’s evolving challenges (Picture source: GDELS)

The HUNTER IFV, officially named during the recent signing, represents the latest generation of the proven ASCOD tracked vehicle family, already recognized for its robust battlefield performance. Technically, the HUNTER integrates advanced modular armor, adaptable weapons systems, and state-of-the-art electronic architecture, ensuring it meets both offensive and defensive operational requirements in varied combat environments. Its extensive testing along NATO’s borders has confirmed its reliability, mobility, and compatibility with alliance interoperability standards.

Having undergone a rigorous in-country evaluation process, the HUNTER’s development reflects decades of lessons from the ASCOD platform, which has served in multiple European armies under different variants. Latvia’s decision underscores its trust in the ASCOD’s combat-proven record, while also showcasing the evolution towards a more modern, digitally integrated fighting vehicle. This procurement signals not just the acquisition of hardware but the adoption of a fully networked capability ready for tomorrow’s hybrid battlespaces.

Compared with similar European IFVs like the CV90 or Puma, the HUNTER stands out through its balanced mix of cost-effectiveness, modular design, and proven operational track record. While the Puma offers advanced protection and the CV90 strong situational awareness, the HUNTER combines these attributes with a strong focus on localized production and interoperability across NATO and EU forces. This blend of combat reliability and industrial collaboration makes it a strategic asset for mid-sized European armies seeking scalable armored solutions.

Latvia’s contract has clear geopolitical and military implications. By reinforcing its mechanized infantry units with modern IFVs, the country boosts deterrence on NATO’s most exposed frontlines. Simultaneously, this investment aligns with broader EU ambitions for joint defense capability development and industrial integration, signaling an emerging trend toward shared platforms and synchronized upgrades across member states. The HUNTER thus becomes both a national shield and a symbol of deeper defense unity in a shifting European security landscape.

With a budget of €387 million including VAT, this acquisition represents a significant commitment for Latvia’s defense modernization plan. GDELS has emphasized that the program will generate local industrial participation and economic returns, reinforcing the long-term partnership between the firm and Latvia. As the latest customer to expand its ASCOD fleet, Latvia joins a community of European operators who view the platform as the backbone of a future interoperable armored network, paving the way for potential joint procurements and maintenance agreements.

Latvia’s expanded HUNTER fleet stands as tangible proof that modern defense is as much about trusted partnerships and shared readiness as it is about hardware. By investing in this new generation of the ASCOD family, Riga strengthens its national resilience while sending a clear signal that European countries are ready to shape a more integrated, capable, and adaptable armored force posture for NATO’s evolving challenges.