Latvia Signs Morana Artillery Project Worth Hundreds of Millions
Latvia signed a major artillery agreement covering Morana 155 mm howitzers and rocket artillery, with Tatra Defence Systems acting as prime contractor.
Latvia has signed a trilateral agreement with Slovakia and Czech defense company Tatra Defence Systems covering Morana 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and rocket artillery systems for the Latvian National Armed Forces. Czechoslovak Group said the broader modernization project is valued in the hundreds of millions of euros, with Tatra Defence Systems serving as prime contractor.
The agreement was signed on September 30 by the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the Slovak government and Tatra Defence Systems, part of Czechoslovak Group. The number of Morana systems and the precise contract value have not been publicly disclosed.
Latvia had already selected the Morana earlier in September after evaluating the Czech system against the Archer self-propelled howitzer offered by BAE Systems Bofors.
Latvia Selects Czech Morana 155mm Howitzer Over Archer
Morana and rocket artillery will use a common Tatra platform
The Morana is a NATO-standard 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer developed by CSG subsidiary Excalibur Army together with Slovak defense industry partners.
The system is mounted on a Tatra Force 8x8 chassis and uses automated aiming and loading. According to manufacturer specifications, Morana carries 45 rounds, has a crew of three and can fire six rounds during the first minute after taking a firing position.
Its published maximum firing range is 41.5 kilometers, depending on ammunition.
The newly signed project also includes multiple-launch rocket systems. CSG has not disclosed the type or quantity of rocket artillery systems involved.
Using a common Tatra vehicle platform for both capabilities is intended to reduce complexity in logistics, maintenance, training and long-term support for the Latvian Armed Forces.
Production and final assembly will move partly to Latvia
The project extends beyond equipment delivery and includes industrial participation from Latvia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Parts of the equipment will be produced in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while production and final assembly of other elements are expected to be gradually established in Latvia. Latvian companies are also expected to participate in maintenance and lifecycle support.
Slovak industry will supply several critical elements of the Morana system. These include the 155 mm weapon system manufactured by ZŤS ŠPECIÁL, as well as participation in superstructure production, other components and the fire control system.
The industrial structure gives Latvia a domestic role in supporting the systems rather than relying exclusively on foreign maintenance and production capacity.
Latvia plans €422.25 million for artillery programs through 2029
Separate Latvian government budget documents provide additional context on the scale of the country's artillery modernization.
Latvia expects to require €422.25 million between 2026 and 2029 for artillery procurement contracts. The Latvian Ministry of Defence has said that funding covers the Morana acquisition and another rocket-artillery project currently under development.
The ministry has not identified the second rocket system because negotiations remain ongoing.
The €422.25 million figure should therefore not be treated as the disclosed value of the Morana contract alone. CSG has separately described the wider project signed on September 30 as being worth hundreds of millions of euros.
Financing through the European Union Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, instrument is planned as part of the acquisition structure.
Latvia has already secured access to almost €3.5 billion in SAFE financing to accelerate defense procurement and expand domestic industrial capacity.
Latvia Secures €3.5 Billion SAFE Loan to Expand Defense Procurement and Industrial Capacity
Latvia expects first Morana systems in 2027
Latvia began researching options for new wheeled 155 mm artillery systems in May 2024.
The procurement eventually narrowed to the Archer from BAE Systems Bofors and Morana from Excalibur Army. Latvia had previously moved toward acquiring 18 Archer systems, including signing a letter of intent with Sweden in June 2025.
Riga later concluded that the Morana proposal offered more favorable cost and delivery conditions while allowing greater participation by Latvian industry.
According to the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the first Morana systems are expected to arrive in 2027.
The acquisition will expand Latvia's indirect-fire capabilities alongside its existing artillery fleet and six Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, ordered from the United States.
What artillery system did Latvia select?
Latvia selected the Czech-developed Morana 155 mm/52-caliber wheeled self-propelled howitzer produced by Excalibur Army.
Who is the prime contractor for Latvia's Morana project?
Tatra Defence Systems, part of Czechoslovak Group, is the prime contractor for the project.
How much is Latvia spending on the Morana?
The precise Morana contract value has not been disclosed. CSG describes the wider project as worth hundreds of millions of euros, while Latvia has allocated €422.25 million for several artillery programs through 2029.
When will Latvia receive the first Morana howitzers?
The Latvian Ministry of Defence expects the first systems to be delivered in 2027.
