Latvia considers purchasing Morana howitzers from Excalibur Army

Latvia is considering purchasing Morana self-propelled howitzers from the Czech defense manufacturer Excalibur Army. According to reports, the Latvian Ministry of Defence is exploring options for 155mm caliber artillery after previously entering a non-binding letter of intent with Sweden’s BAE Systems Bofors for Archer howitzers.

The Latvian Ministry of Defence stated that the Swedish company delayed submitting its final proposal, prompting the ministry to investigate other market options. The ministry noted that the Czech systems offered by Excalibur Army are equivalent but provide more favorable terms regarding price and delivery schedules.

A spokesperson for the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), the holding company that owns Excalibur Army, confirmed that positive negotiations regarding the supply of land systems are in an advanced stage, though specific details and quantities have not been disclosed. Previous reports suggested Latvia had allocated approximately 159 million euros in its budget for indirect fire support, including a potential purchase of 18 howitzers.