Latvia needs €422 million for artillery systems

Latvia's government on Tuesday approved reallocating €43.635 million from the State Defence and Security Fund program to the Defence Ministry's subprogram for maintaining the National Armed Forces. The decision aims to secure funding for artillery system procurement, news agency LETA reports.

According to the decision's explanatory note, total costs for fulfilling artillery procurement contracts between 2026 and 2029 will amount to €422.25 million. The Defence Ministry confirmed to the agency that this sum is needed for two purposes: purchasing Czech-made "Morana" self-propelled howitzers, and developing another rocket artillery project running alongside the existing HIMARS program.

Negotiations still ongoing

Negotiations regarding the new rocket artillery project are currently underway, so the ministry is not yet providing further details about it.

Development of artillery capabilities is planned to be financed through a loan from the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financial instrument, combined with national budget funds.

Switch to a cheaper alternative

In mid-September, the government had already revised earlier decisions, abandoning plans to purchase Swedish-made 155mm wheeled artillery systems "Archer." Instead, it opted for the cheaper Czech-made "Morana" self-propelled howitzers.

Latvia had previously signed a contract with the US government for six Lockheed Martin-manufactured High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The National Armed Forces could start receiving this equipment starting in 2027.