At this year's Eurosatory trade fair in Paris, which is dedicated to the defence and security sector, EXCALIBUR ARMY presented a novelty in the form of a new Czech wheeled self-propelled gun howitzer MORANA.

Picture: New Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer | Michal Pivoňka / CZ DEFENCE

The MORANA howitzer is built on the proven Tatra Force 8x8 universal chassis, which ensures high ground clearance, driving comfort and transport speed in difficult terrain. In addition, all wheels of the chassis are steerable.

Video: New Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer / YouTube

The main weapon of the howitzer is a gun of NATO calibre (155 mm) with a barrel length of 52 calibre, which is located in the rear part of the chassis. MORANA combines the advantages of light wheeled self-propelled artillery systems of the TMG (Truck Mounted Gun) category and heavy artillery systems on tracked chassis.

Picture: New Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer | Michal Pivoňka / CZ DEFENCE

Howitzer loading is fully automatic and target acquisition is also fully automated. The standard crew of the MORANA howitzer is three soldiers - driver, commander, operator. In total, the cab can accommodate 4 soldiers. The crew is protected by an armoured four-door cabin, which has ballistic and mine protection level 2.

The crew of the howitzer is able to fully operate the gun directly from the cab without having to leave it, thus ensuring maximum protection in the event of combat deployment.

Picture: New Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer | Michal Pivoňka / CZ DEFENCE

The howitzer is also equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station with advanced sensor equipment and a 12.7 mm machine gun for self-protection.

The new Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer thus extends the existing portfolio of modern self-propelled wheeled howitzers of EXCALIBUR ARMY (DANA M2, DITA 155mm).

"We are continuing the tradition of the Czechoslovak defence industry, which has always been one of the major industries and exporters. In order to compete on the world market, we need to develop new solutions for the security of Europe and its partners. That is why we are coming up with products like the MORANA howitzer," explained Michal Strnad, owner of CSG Holding.

Picture: New Czech MORANA self-propelled howitzer | Michal Pivoňka / CZ DEFENCE

The name of the new howitzer is not an abbreviation, as was the case with the DANA (Automatically Loaded Automotive Cannon), but is based on mythology, where Morana is generally understood as the Slavic goddess of death and winter.