On April 28, Latvia’s Council of Ministers approved the transfer of British-origin CVR(T) reconnaissance armored vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of a new military assistance package to the country at war. The decision, which had already been promoted by the Latvian Ministry of Defense, coincides with the process of renewing the national armed forces’ armored inventory, as these vehicles are being replaced by more capable platforms.
Latvia’s Minister of Defense, Andris Sprūds, justified the measure with the following words: “Taking into account the current needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, we will transfer additional CVR(T) tracked combat reconnaissance armored vehicles to Ukraine in order to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, and we will continue to do so for as long as necessary.” Sprūds added that the transfer will not compromise the operational capabilities of Latvian forces in the medium term.
The delivery of the CVR(T)s adds to a track record of material support that Riga has maintained since the beginning of the conflict. The Baltic country had already completed the transfer of Patria CAVS 6×6 wheeled combat vehicles to Ukraine in several batches, having delivered 12 units out of a total of 42 committed, systems that Ukrainian forces employ in a complementary role alongside the domestically produced BTR-4 and the Polish Rosomak vehicles.
The broader context of cooperation between the two countries is framed by a bilateral long-term support and security agreement signed in 2024, which establishes concrete commitments in terms of assistance. Within this framework, Latvia reported that its military contribution in 2025 amounted to 0.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a projection to allocate 0.25% of GDP to the same purpose during the current year.
Among the priorities identified for the current period, Riga plans to intensify its acquisitions within the Drone Coalition and maintain training missions for Ukrainian personnel. Latvia has also committed to contributing to diplomatic initiatives aimed at Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), reinforcing its role as one of the most active Baltic states in this collective effort.
The transfer of the CVR(T)s is also a direct consequence of the ongoing modernization of the Latvian Army itself. To replace these armored vehicles, Latvia selected the ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), of Spanish manufacture, over competitors such as the South Korean Hanwha K21 and the Turkish Otokar Tulpar. The first contract, signed in January 2025, covered the acquisition of 42 units from the company GDELS–Santa Bárbara Sistemas.
A few months later, in mid-2025, a second batch of the same quantity was confirmed, bringing the total number of ASCOD IFVs ordered to 84 units and consolidating the strategic relationship with the Iberian manufacturer. The renewal of Latvia’s armored fleet thus has a dual effect: on the one hand, it strengthens the capabilities of its own armed forces; on the other, it frees up equipment that enhances Ukraine’s combat capabilities on the ground.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: Ukraine questions supply chains linked to Su-57 fighter S-71K Kovyor missile program
