A clear consequence of the ongoing war in Ukraine, French manufacturer Nexter told Army Recognition during IDEX 2023 defense exhibition that it will supply 12 units of its widely combat-proven CAESAR self-propelled howitzer (not the new NG variant, to save time) to the French army. Nexter will also increase its production of CAESARs from 2 to 6 units per month to constitute a stock of additional SPHs directly deliverable, an unprecedented move imposed by the war. Notice that replenishment of the ammunition stocks has also clearly appeared as a crucial concern in the NATO armies.
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Nexter displayed its combat-proven CAESAR self-propelled howitzer at IDEX 2023 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi (Picture source: Army Recognition)
To support Ukraine in its war against the Russian invader, France already supplied no less than 30 CAESAR 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzers (this figure does not include the CAESARs 8x8 initially intended for Denmark, thus). 30 CAESARs represent half of the French army stock (76 units registered in 2021)! And more might follow in the future.
These donations have thus generated a worrying consequence on the French army’s stock. Hence, President Macron’s will to boost their production rate, meaning both the SPHs and their ammunition stock. The process involves many subsystem suppliers, which leads to somehow reorganizing the production work.
The French CAESARs already showed great effectiveness in combat in Ukraine and were able to destroy specific targets through the use of guided artillery munitions.
CAESAR self-propelled howitzer
The CAESAR is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by the French company Nexter. It is armed with a 155mm/52-caliber cannon mounted at the rear of the truck chassis made by Arquus.
The cannon of the CAESAR is able to fire a wide range of ammunition: among others, LU family (HE, Illuminating, Smoke and Practice) filled with insensitive or conventional explosives, the BONUS (Anti-Tank, smart), ERFB NR (Explosive Extended-Range Full-Bore), as well as the new Katana guided ammunition. It has a firing range from 4.5 to 40 km and a very high level of accuracy with the LU family.
