Latvia Picks Czech Morana Howitzer Over Sweden’s Archer
Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to select the Czech-made Morana 155mm wheeled howitzer from Excalibur Army for the National Armed Forces, dropping its previously planned purchase of Sweden’s Archer system. The decision marks a significant shift from Riga’s earlier defined pathway, which had included plans for 18 Archer units and extensive bilateral artillery cooperation with Sweden.
At a Glance
- Decision date: September 15, 2026, Latvian Cabinet of Ministers
- System selected: Morana 155mm/52-calibre wheeled howitzer, Excalibur Army (Czechoslovak Group/CSG)
- Option dropped: Sweden’s BAE Systems/Bofors Archer FH77 BW L52 (18 units had been planned)
- Rationale: Cost, delivery timeline, operational capability and local industry involvement
- Chassis: Tatra Force 8×8 (Morana) vs. RMMV 8×8 (Archer)
- Secondary data: Morana carries 45 ready rounds vs. 21 for Archer
Background
Latvia had previously turned to Sweden’s Archer to accelerate artillery modernization in the Baltic region, planning for 18 howitzers alongside broad bilateral cooperation. Riga has now re-evaluated the programme against cost, delivery schedule, operational performance and local industry participation, opting instead for the Czech Morana. Unveiled by Excalibur Army at Eurosatory in 2022, Morana mounts a fully automated 52-calibre 155mm gun on a Tatra Force 8×8 chassis, offering a 41.5 km range, a rate of fire of six rounds per minute and a three-person crew.
The Latvian government stressed that its strategic partnership with Sweden continues: the Land Forces had already ordered Saab Dynamics’ RBS 70 NG short-range air defence systems, and the Air Force received Saab’s Giraffe 1X airspace surveillance radars in late 2025. The Morana decision is thus best read as supplier diversification in the artillery segment rather than a broader rupture with Sweden.
Regional Impact
The decision underscores intensifying competition in NATO’s Baltic artillery procurement market, where smaller and mid-sized member states are no longer locked into a single supplier. Türkiye’s own wheeled and tracked howitzer families, Fırtına and Panter, target a broadly similar international customer base; Latvia’s choice signals that mid-sized NATO buyers now weigh cost, delivery and local-industry participation over brand loyalty alone — a dynamic relevant to Turkish artillery export strategy as well.
FAQ
How many Morana units will Latvia buy? The exact quantity and total contract value have not yet been officially disclosed.
Is Archer dropped entirely? Only for this programme; Latvia-Sweden defence cooperation continues in other areas, including RBS 70 NG and Giraffe 1X.
When are first deliveries expected? Public reporting points to 2027; the exact schedule depends on final contract terms.
