Although the creation of a local military-industrial complex in Latvia began to be seriously discussed only after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the history of Fox is a few years older. Jansons says that the idea for a self-made army car arose at an off-road car event, where some retired soldiers also participated, and the discussions about the availability of such cars have progressed.
“Later I saw a program about military equipment, I remembered this conversation and paid attention to the fact that the existing equipment is more intended for a desert environment than for our conditions. Then the idea was born that we should make something that would be suitable for Latvia – so light and compact, that could drive through forests and ditches,” said Jansson.
That’s how Fox was built from scratch over the course of a few years, taking into account the wishes and recommendations of military personnel from various units. Of course, some of the parts are already purchased, such as the engine, gearbox, tires, but the frame, suspension, partially transmission, and half-axles are made on the spot.
And, most importantly, the entire construction project was created right here in Jaunmarup. It is not as simple as an outsider might think – we draw a design on paper or on a computer and then embody it in metal. Everything is based on careful and detailed design, both using the computer and creating a mock-up of the machine.
In the case of Fox, everything is further complicated by the fact that this car is intended for military use and therefore has specific requirements. For example, in order to be able to repair quickly and easily, if necessary by assembling two functioning machines in a short time from three damaged machines, the parts should be maximally unified so that everything can be easily replaced and replaced.
There are parts that have to be built completely from scratch. For example, the shock absorbers, thanks to which Fox is able to jump over the pits so energetically, are based on the principle of sports cars, only in this case local masters have made the part as simple as possible and also cheaper. In total, Fox was created by more than ten specialists from different fields.
