Latvia plans 422 million euros for artillery and rocket systems

Latvia needs 422.25 million euros from 2026 to 2029 to buy artillery systems and develop another rocket artillery project, LSM reported, citing the LETA news agency.

The government on Tuesday approved the transfer of 43.635 million euros from the State Defence and Security Fund to a Defence Ministry budget programme to support the purchases.

The Defence Ministry told LETA the total is needed to buy Czech-made Morana self-propelled howitzers and pursue a new rocket artillery project alongside the HIMARS programme. Talks on the new project are under way, and the ministry said it would not provide further details at this stage.

The artillery capability programme is expected to be financed through a loan from the European Union’s Security Action for Europe instrument, known as SAFE, and the national budget.

In mid-September, the government reversed its earlier decision to buy Swedish-made Archer wheeled artillery systems and opted instead for the less expensive Morana howitzers. Latvia has also signed an agreement with the US government to buy six HIMARS systems made by Lockheed Martin. The National Armed Forces are expected to begin receiving them in 2027.