The prototype of a new light military vehicle VR-1 FOX for the needs of Latvian National Armed Forces was presented at Ādaži military base on 5 September, as reported by Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks.
The prototype was manufactured in Latvia and is adapted for the needs of the country’s armed forces, as well as Latvia’s climate and geography.
Šis ir VR-1-FOX – pilnībā Latvijā ražots vieglais militārais transportlīdzeklis, kas ir īpaši pielāgots gan @latvijas_armija vajadzībām, gan mūsu dabas apstākļiem!
Šodien Ādažos veiksmīgi prezentējam prototipu, plānojam sērijveida ražošanu tuvākā gada laikā! pic.twitter.com/4aVMaAsCWd
— Artis Pabriks (@Pabriks) September 5, 2022
According to information from sargs.lv, this prototype was put together to meed three main requirements – it needs to handle high load, be adapted for Latvia’s climatic and geographical conditions, and be simple to use and maintain.
According to Joint Headquarters Security Department’s Transport Engineering Department’s qualified specialist, warrant officer Aivars Ronis, National Armed Forces presented close to 200 requirements during the design process of the vehicle. These requirements are divided into three major categories – use, constructive and modularity requirements.
The vehicle is intended for transportation of two to five person crew, individual equipment or different cargo. If need be, it could be equipped with special equipment or weapons systems.
«Basically it’s a sort of a buggy. The first prototype has no windows or doors,» says Ronis.
«Modularity ensures it is easy to attach windows, doors and roof. It can be remade into a jeep or a pickup, providing a wide range of uses in different weather conditions,» said the warrant officer.
The signed contract provides for the manufacture of two more prototypes. Once the second one is completed, they will undergo rigorous testing.
«While the company is interested in testing the safety, endurance and fitness for different weather conditions and other parameters, the National Armed Forces are more interested in the vehicle overcoming different obstacles in different conditions – sand, snow, dirt,» Ronis said.
This prototype was manufactured by Baltic Motorsport Promotion LLC and Vāģi LLC, which are two companies know for Twitterconvoy. They were the ones that organised the first convoy of vehicles that were sent to Ukrainian army.
Paņem vīziju, pieredzi, pievieno 6 jaunus Latviešu inžinierus, iejauc modernas iekārtas, 2 gadus krati un sanāk Foksijs. Pilnībā funkcionāls prototips. Tūkstošiem unikālu detaļu rasējumus. Tīrs Latvijas produkts (izņemot dzinēju, ātrumkārbu, reduktorus). Latvija VAR! #Vāģiracing https://t.co/tePQY6NYZd pic.twitter.com/u9fV7H95tJ
— UkReinis Pozņaks (@poznaks) September 5, 2022