EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Security

Defense Ministry spokesman Roberts Skraucs explained to LETA that the decision to temporarily suspend the procurement of 4x4 light and medium tactical vehicles was made in order to concentrate financial and administrative resources on the implementation of the 6x6 armored vehicle project together with allies.

"Such a decision does not mean that 4x4 armored vehicles will not be needed by the National Armed Forces in the future - such vehicles can also be equipped with adequate armaments, ensuring the performance of relevant operational tasks," Skraucs pointed out.

As reported, Latvia and Finland has agreed on the development of a new armored vehicles system based on 6x6 vehicles manufactured by Finnish company Patria.

If the research and development stage of the project goes successfully, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) might receive the first new armored vehicles already in 2021, the Defense Ministry said. The armored vehicles would be delivered on an annual basis in about ten years. 

LETA also reported, the Procurement Monitoring Bureau (IUB) back in 2019 banned the Defense Ministry from signing an agreement on purchase of armored vehicles worth EUR 200 mln with Finnish company Oy Sisu Auto Ab, according to the information published on the internet website of IUB.

Two bidders – South African company Paramount International Marketing and US AM General LLC filed complains about the outcome of the tender.

The Defense Ministry is banned from signing an agreement with the winner of the negotiations procedure and lift the decision of the procurement commission on the result of the negotiations procedure.

According to the procurement watchdog, the Defense Ministry has committed number of violations in the procurement procedure, failing to fully reflect its needs in documentation and amending tender requirements.