The U.K. Ministry of Defense said the NATO partnership is strengthened as Latvia buys 123 surplus combat reconnaissance armored vehicles for approximately $63.7 million.
The deal includes overhauling and refurbishing the vehicles, which have been used in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photo: U.K. MoD
Purchase of the vehicles allows the Latvian armed forces better transport infantry, reconnaissance teams, air defense sections and mortar fire controllers, as well as provides vital battlefield capabilities including ambulances, armored command vehicles and armored recovery vehicles.
At the NATO Summit in Wales Sept. 4, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said, “This is just one way we are supporting our Baltic NATO allies. As a leading member of NATO, the U.K. is keen to restate publicly our support for the collective security of its members and enable our partners to contribute to international peacekeeping and security operations.
The vehicles became available after the 2010 Defense and Security review, in which they were identified as surplus to requirements as the U.K.’s armed forces restructured for the future.