Latvia developing another rocket artillery project, total artillery procurement worth €422 million

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 funds are intended to support the procurement of various artillery systems.

According to the decision's explanatory note, the total funding required to fulfill artillery system procurement contracts between 2026 and 2029 amounts to €422.25 million. The Defence Ministry confirmed to the LETA news agency that this sum covers both the purchase of Czech-made "Morana" self-propelled howitzers and another rocket artillery project.

New project alongside HIMARS

The new rocket artillery project is being developed in parallel with the existing HIMARS artillery rocket system procurement. The ministry said negotiations on the new project are currently underway, so no further details will be disclosed at this time.

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

Previous decisions

In mid-September, the government revised an earlier decision and opted not to purchase Swedish-made 155mm wheeled "Archer" artillery systems, choosing instead the cheaper Czech-made "Morana" self-propelled howitzers.

Latvia had earlier signed a contract with the US government for six High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The National Armed Forces are expected to receive this weaponry starting in 2027.