Latvia close to M109 purchase
Latvia is just weeks away from finalising an agreement with the Austrian government for the acquisition of second hand self-propelled howitzers.
Acquisition of these guns marks a significant increase in artillery capability for the small Baltic state and mirrors efforts by neighbours Estonia and Lithuania to acquire 155mm systems.
The deal will see the Riga government buy up to 47 units of 155mm M109A5Öe SPHs and associated equipment. The M109A5Öe is an Austrian modernisation of the legacy M109A2/A3 variants.
The Austrian Army bought and upgraded these examples from the UK MoD in the mid-90s as they downsized and transitioned to
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 to go to “shakedown testing” ahead of its delivery to the US Army
The first Lynx XM30 platforms are in the final stages of construction and integration, to be handed over to the US Army in the coming months. Shephard caught up with Rheinmetall to find out more about the programme's progress.
-
Saab to begin delivering new missile variant for RBS 70 air defence system in 2027
The Bolide 2 missile has a larger warhead than the original version as well as an aluminium nose cone, which replaces a copper version and allows for more explosive content and fragments.
-
Malaysian Army vehicle renewal slowed by politics, scandal and economic strain
Despite political and economic headwinds, companies are positioning themselves for current and upcoming Malaysian Army requirements. Shephard spoke with some of them at DSA 2026.