Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year
Croatia has ordered CAESAR Mk II 6×6 howitzers. (Photo: KNDS)
December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.
Self-propelled guns (SPGs) and howitzers were front and centre last month with milestones passed for programmes and orders placed by Germany, the UK, Croatia and Lithuania for systems as attention also turned to a growing US requirement.
These events occurred alongside a multibillion-dollar slate of approvals giving Taiwan access to a range of equipment, Israel taking delivery of its first Iron Beam laser system and Sweden ordering air defence and artillery locating radar systems.
In the last week of December, the German Bundestag approved an expansion of the Arrow 3 defence system contract with Israel, valued at approximately US$3.1 billion.
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