Latvia has signed a trilateral agreement with Slovakia and Czech defence company Tatra Defence Systems for the acquisition of Morana 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and rocket artillery systems for the Latvian National Armed Forces. The agreement was signed on September 30 by the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the Slovak government and Tatra Defence Systems, a company of Czechoslovak Group (CSG). CSG has described the wider modernisation programme as being worth hundreds of millions of euros. The number of Morana systems and the exact contract value have not been disclosed.
Latvia selected the Morana earlier in September following an evaluation against the Archer self-propelled howitzer offered by BAE Systems Bofors. The Morana is a NATO-standard 155 mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer developed by CSG subsidiary Excalibur Army with Slovak defence industry partners. The system is mounted on a Tatra Force 8×8 chassis and features automated aiming and loading.
According to manufacturer specifications, the Morana carries 45 rounds, has a crew of three and can fire six rounds during the first minute after taking position. Its published maximum firing range is 41.5 kilometres, depending on the ammunition used. The project also covers multiple-launch rocket systems. CSG has not disclosed the type or quantity of rocket artillery systems included in the agreement.
Both the Morana and the rocket artillery systems will use a common Tatra vehicle platform. The common platform is expected to simplify logistics, maintenance, training and long-term support for the Latvian armed forces. The agreement also includes industrial participation by Latvia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Parts of the equipment will be manufactured 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 key components for the Morana system, including the 155 mm weapon manufactured by ZŤS ŠPECIÁL. Slovak companies will also participate in superstructure production, supply other components and contribute to the fire-control system.
Latvian government budget documents indicate that the country expects to require €422.25 million between 2026 and 2029 for artillery procurement contracts. The funding covers the Morana acquisition and another rocket artillery project that remains under development. The second system has not been identified while negotiations continue.
The €422.25 million allocation should not be considered the value of the Morana contract alone. CSG has separately described the wider programme signed on September 30 as being worth hundreds of millions of euros. Financing through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument is planned as part of the acquisition structure. Latvia has secured access to almost €3.5 billion in SAFE financing to support defence procurement and domestic industrial capacity.
