Patria and GDELS begin ASCOD IFV production in Latvia reinforcing NATO’s Baltic defense posture.

On June 2, 2025, Patria and GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas officially launched the local assembly of ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) in Latvia, a key milestone for European armored vehicle manufacturing. This strategic partnership marks the fifth anniversary of Patria’s operations in Latvia and the first year of its Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) production facility in Valmiera. With Latvia reinforcing its military industry and enhancing its defense autonomy, this initiative is set to reshape regional defense supply chains and bolster NATO’s readiness on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
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The ASCOD assembly in Latvia underpins both national and allied requirements for scalable and locally supported armored vehicle fleets (Picture source: GDELS)

Patria’s assembly of the ASCOD IFV in Latvia positions this tracked combat vehicle among the most modern platforms in its class. Developed by GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the ASCOD integrates NATO-standard Level 4 armor, ensuring high protection against kinetic threats. It is armed with an automatic cannon, anti-tank guided weapons, and secondary machine guns. Cutting-edge electronic architecture and battlefield management systems grant advanced situational awareness and connectivity. Designed for operational flexibility, the vehicle features a three-person crew configuration and can carry six fully equipped infantry soldiers into combat. According to Army Recognition, these features make ASCOD a robust solution for modern mechanized infantry operations.

The development of the ASCOD dates back to a joint Austrian-Spanish program in the 1990s, evolving through successive upgrades to meet evolving battlefield demands. Its operational track record includes deployments with Spanish and Austrian forces, with further adaptations by the British Army under the AJAX program. The Latvian program began in early 2023 with a competitive selection phase, culminating in the January 30, 2025 contract between the Latvian Ministry of Defence and GDELS for 42 ASCOD IFVs valued at EUR 373 million. This represents a significant step in Latvia’s armored vehicle modernization roadmap. The DPL facility in Valmiera now positions Latvia not only as an end user but also as an industrial contributor to the ASCOD ecosystem.

Compared to other IFVs in its category such as the CV90 or Puma, ASCOD offers a mature yet versatile platform with a balance between mobility, protection, and firepower. While CV90 boasts a broader international user base and Puma excels in high-end protection and automation, ASCOD’s modularity and integration with NATO standards provide an attractive compromise. Its design evolution mirrors the shift in European land forces toward adaptable and networked combat vehicles. In this context, the ASCOD assembly in Latvia underpins both national and allied requirements for scalable and locally supported armored vehicle fleets.

Strategically, this project has far-reaching implications. Geopolitically, it reinforces NATO’s forward presence in the Baltic region at a time of heightened tensions. Militarily, it ensures that Latvia’s National Armed Forces can field modern, interoperable IFVs in alignment with Alliance standards. From a geostrategic perspective, the localization of production diversifies NATO’s supply chains, reduces dependency on distant suppliers, and creates resilience in armored vehicle logistics. For Latvia, it also contributes to industrial sovereignty and strengthens defense-related skills within the national workforce.

With a budget of EUR 373 million for the first batch of 42 ASCOD IFVs, Latvia demonstrates a strong commitment to land forces modernization. The January 2025 contract with GDELS is the most recent procurement secured for the ASCOD family, reaffirming its competitive position in Europe’s armored vehicle market. The first Latvian-assembled units are scheduled to enter operational service by autumn 2026, positioning Latvia as both an operator and an industrial hub within the ASCOD user community.

This initiative by Patria and GDELS not only enhances Latvia’s military capabilities but also reshapes the regional defense industrial landscape. As ASCOD production ramps up in Valmiera, it reinforces European collaboration, strengthens NATO’s eastern defenses, and paves the way for greater Baltic industrial participation in the global defense sector.