Latvia to acquire 18 Swedish-made Archer 8x8 self-propelled howitzers to modernize artillery fleet.

On June 11, 2025, Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Spruds announced that Sweden has committed to delivering 18 Archer 8x8 self-propelled wheeled artillery systems to the Latvian National Armed Forces, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The announcement followed the signing, on June 10, of a letter of intent between Latvia’s Ministry of Defence and Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, Försvarets Materielverk (FMV), to formalise a future intergovernmental contract for the 18 units.
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The version of the Archer self-propelled howitzer that will be delivered to Latvia is based on the Rheinmetall MAN HX2 8x8 tactical truck platform. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The agreement also establishes plans for joint military exercises, soldier training, and the presence of the Archer systems in Latvia starting from 2026. The document further confirms Sweden’s commitment to lease existing systems to Latvia until the delivery of the newly manufactured units is fulfilled. The cooperation also includes potential Latvian defense industry participation in the supply chain for future support and logistics arrangements.

The letter of intent was signed by Latvian Deputy State Secretary for Procurement Major General Andis Dilāns and Swedish National Armaments Director Göran Mårtensson. In addition to the procurement of 18 Archer 8x8 systems, the letter expresses an intent to establish a joint Archer 6x6 artillery unit and includes provisions for bilateral training initiatives between Swedish and Latvian personnel. Details of the training are expected to be negotiated later between the respective armed forces. According to the Latvian Ministry of Defence, this agreement represents a structured approach to reinforcing regional deterrence and reflects the objective of both parties to cooperate on long-term capability development. It is part of Latvia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its artillery forces and improve interoperability within NATO frameworks.

The Archer artillery system was developed by BAE Systems Bofors and is designated FH77BW L52. The version that will be delivered to Latvia is based on the Rheinmetall MAN HX2 8x8 tactical truck platform. It features a 155 mm L/52 caliber gun mounted on a military off-the-shelf chassis, providing road speeds up to 90 km/h and an operational range of 800 km. The system can be deployed into firing position in approximately 20 seconds and displace within the same timeframe. It includes fully automated ammunition handling, electronic fuze setting, and onboard ballistic computation, reducing human input and allowing firing solutions to be executed from inside the armored cabin. The magazine stores 21 projectiles and 126 modular charge units. A dedicated support vehicle, based on a modified ISO container, enables full reloads in approximately five minutes using a crane and conveyor system.

The Archer supports all standard 155 mm NATO artillery ammunition, including high explosive, extended range, smoke, illumination, and training rounds. It is compatible with the M982 Excalibur GPS-guided precision round, which reaches beyond 50 km with a miss distance of less than 2 meters, and the Bofors/Nexter BONUS top-attack anti-armor round, which has a range of up to 35 km. The system can deliver three rounds in 20 seconds, 21 rounds in three minutes, or maintain a continuous fire of 54 rounds in 35 minutes. Its multiple-round simultaneous impact (MRSI) capability enables up to six rounds to arrive on target simultaneously. The gun can also be used for direct fire up to 2,000 meters and includes a remote-controlled weapon station for self-defense. The protection package includes ballistic and mine protection, CBRN shielding, and options for multispectral camouflage.

Latvia currently operates 47 M109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers equipped with 155 mm L/39 guns. These were procured from Austria beginning in 2017 and include 35 howitzers, 10 command and control vehicles, and 2 driver training vehicles. An additional 18 howitzers were delivered in 2021, and 6 units were later donated to Ukraine. The introduction of the Archer 8x8 represents a significant increase in range, rate of fire, automation, and protection compared to the legacy M109A5Ö systems. The Archer’s compatibility with NATO digital fire control systems and advanced munitions will also improve integration into multinational operations. Latvian authorities have indicated that the system will be fielded starting in 2026 and integrated into joint defense planning and exercises involving Sweden and other NATO partners.

Sweden is the original operator of the Archer system, which it began receiving in 2013. The initial variant was based on the Volvo A30 6x6 chassis, and Sweden later adopted the HX2-based version for increased operational flexibility. As of 2023, 48 Archer units were delivered to Sweden, with 26 kept in service and 22 redistributed. Of these, 14 were sold to the British Army in 2023 as interim replacements for AS-90 systems sent to Ukraine, and 8 were transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In March 2025, Sweden authorized the procurement of 18 additional Archer systems for delivery to Ukraine under its 18th military support package, with deliveries also scheduled to begin in 2026. The United Kingdom received its first Archer system in October 2023 and completed the full delivery of 14 units by July 2024. Ukraine has since used Archer in combat in the Luhansk region, reportedly destroying Russian D-20 and 2S19 systems, with visual confirmation provided by drone footage.

BAE Systems has also proposed the Archer to the United States, Canada, and Romania. Romania is considering a purchase of 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers and has shortlisted Archer as a candidate. Canada is also assessing it as a mobile artillery solution alongside other systems. In the United States, Archer was evaluated at Yuma Proving Ground and Camp Atterbury as part of a competitive assessment with other wheeled systems in 2021. Although the U.S. Army did not proceed with a purchase, renewed interest was expressed in 2024 under the "mobile tactical cannon" initiative. The selection process is expected to conclude in 2026, with contracts planned for 2027. The system was also evaluated in the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform program, and it was also tested by the Swiss Armed Forces.

The Archer was initially developed in the 1990s as a response to Swedish defense requirements following the Cold War. Early concepts built on the FH 77B howitzer were tested and gradually evolved into a fully automated, wheeled artillery system. Sweden launched the development program in partnership with BAE Systems Bofors, and serial production began after a final prototype was completed in 2009. The Excalibur round, developed jointly by Raytheon and Bofors, was fielded alongside Archer to enhance its long-range precision capabilities. The transition from the 6x6 Volvo platform to the 8x8 Rheinmetall HX2 allowed integration with a wider range of NATO logistics and mobility standards. The crew operates the system entirely from within an armored cabin, using a digital fire control interface. Protection measures meet STANAG Level 3 ballistic standards and include overpressure systems for CBRN threats. The system is rated for operations in extreme weather and has a climate control system for both winter and summer environments.