Latvia, Austria sign howitzer agreement
Latvia has signed an agreement with Austria for the purchase of type M109A5Oe self-propelled howitzers, the Latvian Ministry of Defence announced on 27 April.
The agreement includes 47 howitzers along with fire control centre and training platforms. Each unit will cost €60,000 to €140,000 depending on the configuration.
The howitzers will further improve indirect fire support capabilities of the Latvian armed forces and improve their ability to fully engage in NATO operations and training activities.
The howitzers were fully modernised between 2003 and 2007 and then mothballed.
The M109A5Oe type A howitzer is an upgraded version of the legacy A2/A3 type howitzers, equipped with 39 calibre M185 barrel. Howitzers have a range of 22km when standard ammunition is used, and the upgraded version can reach 30km range.
Latvian personnel are currently in Austria to undergo training on howitzer operation. The first artillery units will be delivered to Latvia this autumn.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand]()
DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand
DroneShield has been at the forefront of CUAS capability despite being founded only 12 years ago. The company’s early move into the counter-drone arena has put it on the crest of the rapidly expanding technology field.
-
![June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress]()
June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress
This month’s land forces highlights were dominated by the eventful Eurosatory exhibition, particularly in the area of tanks, while separately the JLTV programme took another twist and Canada opted for HIMARS.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction]()
Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction
Uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems were a major feature of this edition of Eurosatory 2026 along with programme updates and first sight of new main battle tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?]()
Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?
Eurosatory 2026 saw a number of main battle tanks on display, including two new platforms which could be the future of European tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability]()
Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability
MARSS became part of EOS Defence earlier this year, bringing together the former’s C2 NiDAR and Nation Shield air defence products with the latter’s suite of effectors and sensors.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine]()
Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine
Pearson Engineering’s Threat-Sense system is designed to use imaging from drones to geolocate scattered mines and support uncrewed systems in defeating the threats.
