Latvia’s government has approved the acquisition of Morana 155 mm self propelled wheeled howitzers from Czech manufacturer Excalibur Army.

The decision reverses Riga’s earlier move toward buying the competing Archer artillery system produced by Sweden’s BAE Systems Bofors.

The Latvian government weighed the competing proposals on several grounds before changing course.

Officials considered the offers’ costs, delivery schedules, operational capabilities, and the potential role for Latvia’s own defense industry.

“The decision was made following an assessment of the costs of the offers, delivery times, operational capabilities and the involvement of the local defense industry in the procurement,” the Latvian Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Latvia had previously taken a formal step toward the Swedish system.

In June 2025, Latvia and Sweden signed a letter of intent intended to clear the way for an acquisition of 18 Archer systems.

Riga nevertheless continued negotiations with Excalibur Army after signing that letter.

Those discussions produced an offer featuring more favorable prices and delivery terms, according to the ministry, shifting the planned acquisition toward the Czech manufacturer.

The Latvian Ministry of Defence also highlighted industrial participation as an advantage of the Morana proposal.

That element gives Latvia’s domestic defense industry an envisioned role in the contract rather than limiting the purchase to delivery of the artillery systems.

“Another significant advantage is that the involvement of the local defense industry is envisaged as part of the contract,” the statement said.

The acquisition comes as Latvia identifies stronger indirect fire support as a major military priority.

The capability has been listed among the “key capability development projects” that will receive financing through the country’s record 2026 defense budget.

Latvia foresees spending 4.91% of its gross domestic product on the military in 2026. That planned level of military spending amounts to €2.16 billion, or $2.48 billion, according to the figures provided.

The government did not disclose the value of the planned Morana howitzer procurement.

The ministry’s explanation instead centered on comparative costs, delivery conditions, operational performance, and participation by the local defense industry.

Excalibur Army is a subsidiary of Czechoslovak Group, also known as CSG. The private defense holding is based in Prague and ranks among Europe’s largest ammunition producers, according to the information accompanying the announcement.

The Morana is designed around a 155 mm gun mounted on a wheeled platform. Data from Excalibur Army gives the artillery system a firing range of 41.5 kilometers, or 26 miles.

A crew of three operates the howitzer. The Morana can reach a top road speed of 90 kilometers per hour, or 56 miles per hour, giving Latvia a mobile system for its planned indirect fire support capability.

CSG also emphasized the amount of ammunition carried aboard the system and the speed of its automated loading process.

The company said the crew has 45 rounds available while carrying out its assigned task.

“The crew has 45 carried rounds available for their task completion. Fully automated gun loading allows the crew to fire up to 6 rounds within the first minute from establishing position,” CSG said in a statement.

The selection marks a clear departure from the path outlined by the June 2025 letter of intent with Sweden.

Latvia’s government ultimately approved the Czech Morana after the ministry assessed the offers and cited better pricing, delivery terms, and local industry participation.