Arquus extends involvement with new-look Caesar
Arquus produces the rolling base for current-generation Caesar SPGs. (Photo: Arquus)
Arquus announced on 29 March that it has been selected by fellow French firm Nexter to provide the rolling base for the Caesar 6x6 Mark II self-propelled gun (SPG).
Arquus will carry out production at its centre of excellence in Limoges. The company has redesigned the SPG, equipping it with a far more powerful engine (460hp compared to 215hp previously), a new automatic gearbox and a new chassis.
The French MoD on 19 February announced that Nexter would develop the next-generation Caesar Mark II, but a final decision will be made by the DGA procurement agency in 2024 on whether to produce 109 entirely new SPGs or a mixture of new Mark II units and retrofitted Caesars.
The first-generation Caesar 6x6 uses a Sherpa Medium chassis and rolling base from Arquus.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia’s record defence spend highlights uncertain times
Saudi Arabia’s investment in its land forces, notably in the area of air defence as recently as 30 January, is a sign of the challenges the Gulf State faces, particularly the threat from Houthi rebels in Yemen.
-
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s Terrex s5 highlights hybrid power’s role in future warfare
Hybrid-electric drive technology may address the growing energy demands of land warfare in future.
-
CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in
The Common Armoured Vehicle System is continuing to rack up orders as the British Army looks likely to become an operator of the vehicle, while Italy and Ireland are also contenders.
-
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.