French Army to receive 109 CAESAR MkII howitzers from 2026
Nexter’s improved CAESAR MkII will offer more mobility and better protection than the CAESAR MkI. (Image: Nexter)
Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) 6x6, a 155mm/52cal weapon mounted on a Renault Trucks Defense 6x6 Sherpa chassis,
The French Army will receive a substantial firepower boost with Nexter contracted to deliver 109 CAESAR MkII self-propelled howitzers from 2026 under an order from the French MOD’s defence procurement and technology agency (DGA).
Nexter was awarded a contract by the DGA for the development of CAESAR 6x6 MkII in February 2022.
The new weapons will join CAESAR MkI vehicles which have been in service since 2008. They will replace the older AUF1 self-propelled howitzer at the end of its operational service and eventually replace older CAESAR systems.
The development of the CAESAR MkII was launched in December 2021 and will see the mobility of the CAESAR MkII improved with a new 460hp engine, compared to the previous 215hp, a new automatic gearbox and a new chassis provided by Arquus.
Additionally, the cabin’s protection will be enhanced against mines and ballistic projectiles to resist improvised explosive devices and small-caliber ammunition, a requirement defined during France’s recent operations in Afghanistan and the Sahel region.
It has also been equipped with a new fire control software and its cabin has been prepared to integrate the future generation of C2 systems. It will keep the same artillery system as the previous iteration.
Franca has already supplied 12 CAESAR SPHs to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion and in January France outlined plans to supply more with a commitment of more munitions, artillery rounds a substantial increase in industrial productivity.
Under plans outlined by French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu, France will supply Ukraine with up to 78 CAESAR systems, seven to be purchased by Ukraine and delivered within weeks, and 12 supplied by France at a cost of €50 million (US$54 million).
Lecornu said a further 60 systems would be supplied through international funding at a cost of €280 million.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army to procure next-gen remote sensing capabilities to boost battlefield mobility]()
US Army to procure next-gen remote sensing capabilities to boost battlefield mobility
The US Army Materiel Command is seeking solutions that can automatically detect and classify natural or man-made obstacles preventing the manoeuvrability of land vehicles.
-
![Next-generation Franco-German tank under threat as France opts for interim solution]()
Next-generation Franco-German tank under threat as France opts for interim solution
The French Army’s upgraded Leclerc main battle tank is expected to begin retiring before the end of the 2030s and the government is looking to adopt an interim solution ahead of a next-generation tank.
-
![US Marine Corps provides US$900 million for prototypes as vehicle refresh motors on]()
US Marine Corps provides US$900 million for prototypes as vehicle refresh motors on
General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems are competing to replace the US Marine Corps’ fleet of light armoured vehicles. The companies have been awarded contracts to provide prototypes of three different vehicle variants.
-
![Canada’s Inkas to complete development of improved M1 MRAP in May]()
Canada’s Inkas to complete development of improved M1 MRAP in May
PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya’s P2 Tiger, the SCATA Mk1 and the Inkas M1 armoured personnel carriers are each built on the proven Celeris base, but all are still awaiting firm orders.
