Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers has selected Excalibur Army’s Morana 155mm self-propelled howitzer over BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer, with the government citing more favorable pricing and shorter delivery timelines as key factors behind the decision.
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence began market research for 155mm wheeled artillery systems in May 2024. Following an assessment of available solutions, the ministry entered negotiations with both Excalibur Army and BAE Systems Bofors.
In June 2025, Latvia signed a letter of intent for the procurement of 18 Archer artillery systems, with the acquisition subsequently receiving government approval in January 2026. A later evaluation, however, determined that proceeding with the Archer procurement would be less advantageous, leading the government to select the Morana system instead.
Another factor supporting the decision was Excalibur Army’s proposal to involve Latvia’s domestic defence industry in the programme. The arrangement is expected to provide opportunities for local companies to participate in the procurement and associated industrial activities.
The acquisition is intended to strengthen Latvia’s artillery formations and enhance the National Armed Forces’ indirect-fire capabilities, deterrence posture and overall defence capacity.
Morana 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
The Morana combines a TATRA 8×8 wheeled chassis with an independently mounted, armoured artillery turret. Its automated ammunition-handling system can accommodate 45 rounds and enables the system to fire up to six rounds during the first minute. The platform also supports Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) operations, allowing several projectiles to reach a target at approximately the same time.
The vehicle is operated by a three-person crew housed inside a pressurized cabin providing protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats. The cabin is certified to STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection standards.
For navigation and firing operations, Morana incorporates GPS/INS navigation and automated gun-laying systems, enabling the artillery crew to rapidly prepare the weapon for engagement and improve firing accuracy.
The system has a reported maximum firing range of 41.5 kilometres (26 miles) and can reach a road speed of up to 90 km/h (56 mph). Its direct-fire capability extends to approximately 5 km (3 miles) during daylight and 3 km (2 miles) at night.
Morana also incorporates an integrated secondary weapon system intended to provide additional protection against close-range threats and low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles.
The selection of Morana represents a shift from Latvia’s previously planned Archer procurement and reflects the government’s stated emphasis on acquisition cost, delivery schedules and opportunities for domestic defence-industry participation.
