Latvia to aid Ukraine with nine CVR(T) armored vehicles
The Latvian portal Delfi reports that Latvia will provide Ukraine with CVR(T) tracked armored reconnaissance vehicles. The local ministry received this equipment in 2015 based on an order placed the previous year.
Riga announced that it would send CVR(T) armored vehicles to the front in Ukraine, which had been purchased in the United Kingdom a few years ago. The local press department of the Ministry of Defense confirmed this information, as reported by the Latvian portal Delfi. Latvia has not disclosed how many machines will be part of the latest support, but the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that the aid package includes nine CVR(T) vehicles.
Latvia will deliver CVR(T) vehicles to Ukraine
It is worth noting that this country, which borders Russia, ordered 123 CVR(T) vehicles in 2014. The first machines were delivered to the army in 2015, and four years later, in 2019, Riga signed another contract with the United Kingdom to purchase additional vehicles of the same type.
It is not clear which specific machines will go to Ukraine as part of Latvia's support. CVR(T) is an extensive family of British light fighting vehicles developed for the British army in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This group of vehicles includes various versions: light tanks (FV101 Scorpion), tank destroyers (FV102 Striker), armored personnel carriers (FV103 Spartan), and light tanks armed with a 30 mm cannon (FV107 Scimitar).
Analysts provide several possibilities
Although representatives of Latvia and Ukraine did not specify which version of the CVR(T) will reach the front, analysts at the Defense Express portal suggest that Latvia's support most likely concerns the FV103 Spartan. These machines were previously delivered to Ukraine as part of partner state assistance and volunteer-organized projects.
These armored personnel carriers are powered by a Jaguar J60 gasoline engine, which generates about 190 HP and propels the vehicle to 50 mph. Inside, there is space for a 7-person crew, who can use a GPMG 7.62 mm machine gun for defense or attack.
Defense Express also notes that CVR(T) versions of the FV101 Scorpion (approx. 170 units) were also delivered to Ukraine in the past, so this version cannot be ruled out as potential support from Latvia to Ukraine. This equipment also has the same engine as the CVR(T) in the transport version. However, the Scorpion differs with a smaller cabin. Inside, there is space for a 3-person crew, and the vehicle's armament consists of an L23A1 76 mm cannon with an L43A1 7.62 mm machine gun.
