RIGA, Latvia — The Ministry of Defence of Latvia has selected the Morana 155mm/52-caliber wheeled self-propelled howitzer, manufactured by Czech defense firm Excalibur Army (a subsidiary of Czechoslovak Group), for the Latvian National Armed Forces. The decision marks a strategic pivot away from a previous letter of intent regarding the acquisition of BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer artillery system.
The selection followed a comprehensive evaluation comparing competing proposals across four core criteria: cost efficiency, delivery timelines, operational performance, and local defense industry involvement. The Czech proposal offered significantly more favorable pricing and delivery schedules, paired with industrial cooperation commitments that directly integrate Latvian defense enterprises into the vehicle’s maintenance and supply chain ecosystem.
By choosing the Morana, Latvia accelerates the modernization of its indirect-fire capabilities, establishing a highly mobile, automated, NATO-interoperable artillery deterrent along NATO’s eastern flank.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: EXCALIBUR ARMY MORANA 155MM SPH
* Main Armament: 155 mm / 52-caliber gun-howitzer compliant with NATO Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) standards
* Maximum Firing Range: Exceeds 41.5 kilometers using base-bleed ammunition; capable of extended-range precision strikes with guided projectiles
* Ammunition Payload: 45 carried rounds with fully automated projectile and propellant charge loading
* Fire Control & Burst Capabilities: Rapid shoot-and-scoot capability within 40 seconds of halting; fires up to 6 rounds within the first minute of engagement; supports Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing modes
* Mobility Platform: Built on a specialized Tatra Force 8×8 all-terrain chassis powered by a 600 hp diesel engine with automatic transmission and Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS)
* Speed & Operational Reach: Maximum road speed of 90 km/h with an operational range of up to 600 km
* Crew Protection & Architecture: 3-man crew (driver, aimer, commander) housed in an armored, pressurized EA Puma cabin certified to STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection against ballistic threats and landmines, equipped with NBC filtration
* Unmanned Turret Systems: Fully automated, independent turret powered by a 24V Auxiliary Power and Hydraulic Unit (APHU), allowing complete operational capability even if the main vehicle engine is shut down
* Secondary Armament & Direct Fire: Equipped with a 12.7 mm Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) for self-defense and counter-UAS engagements; features electro-optical direct-fire targeting up to 5 km (day) and 3 km (night)
