52 Systems Ordered by Four Customers

Overall in 2022, four Nexter customers ordered a total of 52 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems, in all versions.

The latest order came from the 15 December signature by French and Lithuanian Defence Ministers of a technical cooperation arrangement in artillery systems, which included an order for 18 Caesar 6×6 MkII for the Lithuanian armed forces. Development of the 6×6 MkII began in December 2021, to meet the requirements of the French Army, combining a new Arquus-designed chassis and a better-protected cabin with the proven 155mm artillery system. Introduction of the new variant into service is currently planned for 2026: 18 of the 6×6 MkI have been ordered to replenish French Army stocks depleted by transferring systems to Ukraine.

Also last year, the Czech Republic ordered a further 10 Caesar 8×8 to complement the order for 52 vehicles placed in 2021, and Belgium ordered nine 6×6 MkII. Lithuania will be an active participant in the development phase of the 18 systems it has now committed to.

Principal improvements in the 6×6 MkII lie in crew protection and mobility. The latter attribute has been significantly enhanced, with a new 460hp engine replacing the previous 215hp model, a new automatic gearbox and a new-generation chassis, coupled to a cabin armoured to STANAG level 2 against ballistic projectiles, mines and IEDs. The MkII system also benefits from the same strategic mobility as MkI, being air-transportable in an A400M. Featuring the same 155mm/52 calibre gun as the MkI, the MkII is now combined with new fire control software. Combat-proven in multiple theatres of operation, Caesar allows a rate of fire of 6rpm and delivers rounds accurately to a range in excess of 40 kilometres, making it an ideal tool for high-intensity warfare.