Under a $500,000 US Foreign Military Sales contract, the Latvian National Armed Forces received the first 18 Polaris tactical vehicles.
“I am pleased that the vehicles of Polaris will significantly strengthen the tactical mobility capabilities of the Latvian Armed Forces, including the National Guard. The delivery of these vehicles is also one of the proofs of our close and successful cooperation with the United States, “emphasizes Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis.
It is planned that, by the end of 2018, another 44 military tactical vehicles, Polaris, will be supplied to the National Armed Forces through the US Government’s foreign military sales (FMS) programme. In addition, in 2020, a substantial US government-funded delivery of Polaris to the National Armed Forces is planned.
In total, Latvia will receive up to 130 four-model military tactical vehicles “Polaris” – “Sportsman Big Boss”, MRZR-2, MRZR-4 and MV850 for about 6, 8 million euros, financing from the state budget of Latvia approximately 15% of the cost. Intergovernmental agreements with the United States also include the supply of vehicle parts, engineering support and training.
The vehicles are specially designed for a wide range of uses, such as border patrol, rapid personnel deployment, command and control, and supply transport missions.
The new Polaris ultralight and all-terrain vehicles will be used mainly to ensure border security.
Within the framework of various military assistance programs, the United States has provided support to Latvia for more than 20 years, supplying important equipment such as communications equipment, night vision devices and vehicles to the development of the National Armed Forces.