• Land Warfare

  Thailand’s first LG1 towed howitzers touch down

  7th February 2023

  The first of Thailand's new 105mm field guns have arrived home, while the country's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) pursues other indigenous programmes such as combat reconnaissance vehicles and an MRAP.

• Land Warfare

  Germany explores new options for future armoured vehicles

  31st January 2023

  Germany has a range of requirements for additional or replacement armoured vehicles over the next decade. Shephard analyses how the German Army might use its share of the country's highly publicised €100 billion defence spending boost.

• Land Warfare

  Germany explores new options for future armoured vehicles

  31st January 2023

  Germany has a range of requirements for additional or replacement armoured vehicles over the next decade. Shephard analyses how the German Army might use its share of the country's highly publicised €100 billion defence spending boost.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  European consortium demonstrates autonomous UGV missions

  15th December 2022

  The French demonstration by robotic ground systems is the fifth of six total held as part of the iMUGS project.

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2022: Turret innovations take centre stage for Nexter

  18th October 2022

  French manufacturer Nexter displays 1:1 final design model of RapidFire point defence system and missile-equipped Narwhal turret.

• Land Warfare

  Europe sets ambitious goals for future tank technology

  3rd November 2022

  The European Defence Fund's 48-month Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems 2 (FAMOUS2) effort will cover design of concepts selected in the initial phase, with development of all-terrain and light-armoured vehicles and the modernisation of MBTs.

• Land Warfare

  UK artillery seeks greater range and accuracy

  21st September 2022

  The Integrated Review and MoD Command Paper underlined the value of improving the British Army’s artillery capabilities — but the UK will have to break a trend of failed procurements to succeed in future.

• Land Warfare

  Nexter contracted for an additional 18 Caesar artillery pieces

  29th July 2022

  French defence manufacturer Nexter will deliver a further 18 Caesar 155mm artillery systems to the French Armed Forces by summer 2024.

• Land Warfare

  Tests begin for first new French SOF patrol vehicles

  14th September 2022

  French special forces have begun testing the first pair of production 6x6 VOS-APP patrol vehicles that will succeed the VLRA, which has been in service since the 1970s.

• Land Warfare

  Brazilian Army receives nationally produced 155mm ammunition for the first time

  10th August 2022

  155mm ammunition, manufactured by state-owned company Imbel, is intended to reduce Brazilian dependence on the variable international defence market.

• Land Warfare

  Army-2022: Russian military moves to address artillery weaknesses

  22nd August 2022

  Russia is commencing series production of three new artillery systems and a specialised reconnaissance vehicle to address weaknesses highlighted by operational experience in Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia delivers four Zuzana 2 NATO-standard howitzers to Ukraine and prepares to donate MiG-29s

  15th August 2022

  Slovakia continues to provide military aid to Ukraine that is far out of proportion to its size.

• Defence Notes

  Accelerated introduction of new military procurement law reflects changed priorities in France

  15th August 2022

  The French government is bringing a new Military Programming Law into force two years ahead of schedule.

• Land Warfare

  France invests in vehicles for paratroopers

  17th August 2022

  New lightweight and air-droppable vehicles are being provided to the 11th Parachute Brigade in the French Army.

• Naval Warfare

  New French overseas patrol vessels set for 2023 service entry

  4th August 2022

  The first of six POM overseas patrol boats for use in France's Pacific territories has commenced sea trials and is due to enter service in New Caledonia in January 2023.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus

  While there has been no direct confirmation that Nexter has sold the Titus to Saudi Arabia, it has been confirmed that Nexter has delivered CAESAR ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Denmark]

  Programme Background In 2016, the ATMOS was one of two systems shortlisted to meet a requirement from the Danish Army for up to 21 new ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 1) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Prior to procuring Caesar, Estonia was in the process of acquiring the K9 Thunder as well.  In June 2024, Estonia announced that it would ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Ireland]

  Background Ireland currently maintains a small army designed for home defence. It is only deployed abroad as part of operations authorised by the UN. As ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Lithuania]

  Programme Background In June 2022, Lithuania awarded KNDS France a contract for 18 Caesar SPHs. This came in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 1) [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic currently operates a small fleet of Dana SPHs. A total of 273 were produced for Czechoslovakia, of which 86 remain in Czech ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 2) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Estonia procured its first 12 Caesars in June 2024, with deliveries taking place in 2025. This second contract, awarded in February 2026, mirrors ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 2) [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic currently operates a small fleet of Dana SPHs. A total of 273 were produced for Czechoslovakia, of which 86 remain in Czech ...

• Self-propelled guns

  AMX Mk F3 replacement [Ecuador]

  Background Ecuador currently operates 12 AMX Mk F3s as its only SPH.  Acquired in 1976, they are increasingly obsolete and in need of a replacement. ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [France]

  Background France first procured the Caesar in 2004, when it ordered 72 vehicles. These were subsequently delivered by 2008. In July 2022, France ordered a ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 1) [Belgium]

  Background The Belgian Army currently operates a small number of towed artillery pieces. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine has demonstrated that towed artillery is ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background The Czech government first announced its intention to purchase the Nexter TITUS platform in 2015.  However, a contract did not materialise until July ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Portugal]

  Background The Portuguese army currently operates the M109 Paladin, alongside a number of traditional towed platforms. As part of the wider European trend towards modernising ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Wheeled artillery vehicle (VAR) [Argentina]

  Programme Background Argentina currently operates a small fleet of SPHs, split between 24 AMX Mk F3s and 18 VCAs. Both platforms have now exceeded their ...

• Self-propelled guns

  New wheeled howitzer [Spain]

  Background The majority of Spain's current artillery fleet consists of towed platforms, with over 200 in service. Its SPH capability consists of 96 M109A5 Paladins. Spain's ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar 6x6 MkII + 8x8

  Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) is a self-propelled 155mm/52cal artillery mounted available on either a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis. The configuration was chosen to provide ...

• Towed guns

  Trajan

  Nexter unveiled the Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre towed gun at IDEX 2013. Trajan was developed for the export market, with the first potential customer being ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  CAESAR

  The Computer Aided Evaluation System for Air Defence Rating (CAESAR) was designed for air defence mission planning and provides a means to train commanders and ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ATLAS

  An interoperable C4I system for artillery missions and resources deployed in the French Army. Commissioned in 2005, ATLAS represents a main element of battlespace digitisation, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI-2

  Nexter unveiled the VBCI-2 IFV, the latest evolution of its 8x8 VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, at DSEI 2015 in London. Using company funds, Nexter has built ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Helic³om

  Helic³om is a fully digital, integrated C3 and mission management system designed to provide crew with data communications and accurate, real-time tactical pictures. The modular ...

• Land: RWS

  ARX 20

  The ARX 20 was developed by Nexter to meet demand for a vehicle-mounted RWS that offers more firepower than an RWS armed with a 12.7mm ...

• Main battle tanks

  EMBT

  KNDS (KMW + NEXTER Defense Systems) presented its first joint product, the EMBT (European Main Battle Tank) demonstrator, at the June 2018 Eurosatory defence exhibition. The EMBT mounts ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Aravis

  Nexter unveiled its 12.5t Aravis at Eurosatory 2008, and in April 2009, the company received a launch order for 15 vehicles to equip French Army ...

• Medium UGVs

  Ultro

  Nexter Robotic's Ultro is a 4x4 multi-mission tactical robot designed as a multi-role platform UGV.  100% electric and capable of silent running, the Ultro is ...

• Naval guns

  Narwhal

  Narwhal is a 20mm, remotely operated naval gun turret by Nexter Systems. It utilises Nexter Systems' M621/M693 cannons, also deployed on helicopters. Narwhal can be ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  TITUS

  Nexter Systems unveiled the Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System (TITUS) 6x6 modular armoured vehicle at DSEI 2013. TITUS was developed for the export market ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  155MM LU 211

  German company KNDS-Nexter's 155MM LU 211 is a long-ranged medium calibre artillery shell designed to neutralise and supress the enemy.  It can engage targets at ...

• Self-propelled guns

  RapidFire

  Thales unveiled the RapidFire, intended to protect both mobile forces and key assets/fixed points, at the Eurosatory 2012 exhibition. The system is designed to exploit ...

• Self-propelled guns

  GCT

  The GCT 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer was developed as a replacement for the French Army's Mk F3 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. Unlike the open-topped ...