Latvia has decided to acquire the Morana wheeled self-propelled artillery system from Czech manufacturer Excalibur Army following an evaluation that favored its cost and delivery schedule over the Archer offered by BAE Systems Bofors. The Latvian Ministry of Defence initiated its search for a 155mm wheeled artillery platform in May 2024, subsequently negotiating with both suppliers after assessing their proposals. Although Latvia initially moved toward Archer, signing a letter of intent for 18 systems in June 2025 and securing government approval in January 2026, a later review changed the outcome. Officials concluded that the Archer purchase offered less favorable terms and selected Morana instead. Another consideration was Excalibur Army’s proposal to bring Latvia’s defense companies into the programme. The new artillery system is expected to reinforce Latvia’s indirect-fire units and contribute to the country’s deterrence and defense capabilities. Morana uses a TATRA 8×8 high-mobility chassis and carries an armored turret that is mounted independently. The automated ammunition-handling system stores 45 projectiles and can launch six rounds within the opening minute of an engagement, including MRSI firing sequences. The vehicle is operated by three crew members inside a pressurized NBC-protected cabin meeting STANAG 4569 Level 2 requirements. Integrated GPS/INS navigation and automated weapon-laying functions are intended to shorten engagement times and improve firing accuracy. The platform has a stated maximum range of 41.5 kilometers (26 miles) and can reach 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour. Its direct-fire capability extends to 5 kilometers (3 miles) in daytime conditions and 3 kilometers (2 miles) at night. A secondary integrated weapon system further improves protection against nearby threats and low-altitude unmanned aircraft.
