Latvia orders new howitzers and rocket launchers

Latvia has signed a contract to buy Czech-made Morana 155 mm wheeled howitzers and rocket artillery systems for its armed forces, in a three-way deal with the Slovak government and Czech manufacturer Tatra Defence Systems, the Latvian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry, the Slovak government and Tatra Defence Systems signed the contract on Sept. 30. Neither Latvia nor its partners disclosed how many howitzers or rocket launchers the deal covers, which rocket artillery system Latvia is buying, what the contract is worth or when deliveries will begin.

Both the howitzers and the rocket launchers will be built on Tatra truck chassis. The ministry said using a common vehicle platform will make logistics, maintenance, training and long-term support easier for the National Armed Forces, since crews and mechanics will work on the same trucks across both systems.

Latvia plans to pay for the purchase through Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, a European Union program that offers member states low-cost loans of up to €150 billion ($169 billion)  in total for joint defense purchases. The contract also requires a gradual move of production to Latvia, with part of the equipment to be built and assembled in the country with support from Czech and Slovak companies.

“Our goal is not only to acquire modern military equipment, but also to develop local production, service and technological capabilities that will strengthen Latvia’s long-term resilience and security,” said Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis.

Slovakia’s role centers on its defense industry, which will supply what its defense minister described as technologically important components for the systems.

“Slovakia’s defense industry will play a significant role in this project, providing technologically important components for the systems,” said Robert Kaliňák, Slovakia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister.

The contract follows a Latvian cabinet decision on Sept. 15 to buy the Morana, built by Czech company Excalibur Army, over Sweden’s Archer howitzer. Latvia had signed a letter of intent with Sweden in June 2025 to negotiate an Archer purchase, but the Defense Ministry concluded that the Swedish system would cost more than the defense budget allows and take longer to deliver, The Defence Blog reported.

The Morana mounts a 155 mm, 52-caliber gun on a Tatra Force 8×8 truck and replaces the Czechoslovak-era DANA family of wheeled howitzers. Excalibur Army says its automated loader can fire six rounds in the first minute and five rounds per minute after that, with a maximum range of about 41.5 km (26 miles) using extended-range ammunition. Its crew of three or four rides in an armored cab and the vehicle carries a 12.7 mm remote weapon station for self-defense.

Latvia, which borders Russia and Belarus, has been rapidly building up its artillery. The new howitzers and rocket launchers will expand the National Armed Forces’ indirect fire units, the ministry said.