Latvian updates UAV artillery spotting TTPs

Latvia's M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) with Austrian modification at the Sēlija Training Area in Latvia on 11 May 2026 during NATO exercise Crystal Arrow. (Janes/Tamara Rozouvan)

Latvia's artillery force used an Autel Evo Nano unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to check the position of one of their concealed M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) as part of NATO Exercise Crystal Arrow in May 2026.

What the Latvian Armed Forces refer to as their Artillery Division is the artillery arm of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces. They conducted the exercise in Latvia's Sēlija training area to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), Lieutenant Colonel Anatolijs Derjugins, Commander of the Artillery Division told Janes on 11 May.

“Before establishing the position of the howitzer, we checked with our own drones [Autel Evo Nano] how we are looking out in the field [how exposed the vehicles were],” Lt Col Derjugins said. Autel Evo Nano is “equivalent to a simple [DJI's] Mavic but with a thermal camera”, a Latvian armed forces officer at the exercise said. The Autel Evo Nano series of UAVs are manufactured by China-based Autel Robotics.

Janes was told by another Latvian officer that it was not just the camouflage netting that was used to reduce the thermal signature of the SPHs. Greenery and tree positioning were also taken into account.

During Crystal Arrow, Latvia's M109A5 SPHs were used to support a manoeuvre battalion, according to Lt Col Derjugins. The M109A5Ö is an Austrian upgrade of the M109A5 with upgraded mission systems.

Enabling EVLOS