Sweden objects after Latvia rejects «Archer» howitzers in favor of Czech system

Latvia's government has decided this week to reverse its earlier plan to acquire Swedish-made «Archer» self-propelled howitzers, opting instead for the «Morana» system produced by the Czech company Excalibur Army.

Ministry's reasoning

The Ministry of Defence explained the switch by pointing to two main factors: the significantly lower price of the Czech system compared to the Swedish offer, and faster expected delivery times. According to the ministry, these considerations made «Morana» the more advantageous choice for Latvia's defense needs.

Swedish response

The Swedish manufacturer, whose «Archer» system had previously been considered a leading candidate for strengthening Latvia's heavy weapons arsenal, disputes several of the arguments put forward by the ministry. Company representatives challenge both the price comparison and the assessment of delivery speed that were used to justify the final decision.

The decision to switch howitzer suppliers is part of Latvia's longer-term effort to strengthen its artillery capabilities amid the regional security situation. More detailed terms regarding contract volume, delivery schedule, and total costs have not yet been made public.