Latvia Selects Czech Morana Howitzer Over Swedish Archer – The Defense Post

Latvia Selects Czech Morana Howitzer Over Swedish Archer  The Defense Post

Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers has opted to procure Excalibur Army’s Morana 155mm self-propelled artillery system over BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer, citing significantly more favorable pricing and shorter delivery times. “The decision was made following an assessment of the costs of the offers, delivery times, operational capabilities and the involvement of the local defence industry in the procurement,” the Latvian Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Latvia’s Ministry of Defence launched market research for 155mm wheeled artillery systems in May 2024 and subsequently opened negotiations with both companies following an evaluation of their offers. In June 2025, Latvia signed a letter of intent to procure 18 Archer systems, followed by government approval of the procurement in January 2026.

However, a subsequent assessment found that the Archer procurement was less advantageous, prompting the government to select Morana instead. The ministry also cited Excalibur Army’s offer to involve Latvia’s local defense industry under the contract as another key factor favoring the Czech system. The procurement is intended to strengthen Latvia’s artillery units and significantly enhance the National Armed Forces’ indirect-fire, deterrence, and defence capabilities. Morana The MORANA combines a TATRA 8×8 chassis with an armored, independently mounted artillery turret. Its automated loading system carries 45 rounds and can fire up to six rounds in the first minute, with Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact