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Europe Rearms Its Artillery: Howitzers as Core of the New Defense Strategy.
Since the outbreak of the large-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, European NATO members have undergone a rapid and profound reassessment of their defense capabilities, with a particular focus on artillery. In contrast to decades of post-Cold War reductions, this new wave of procurement reflects a clear intent to restore firepower depth, enhance NATO interoperability, and bolster defense capabilities in the face of emerging high-intensity threats. A core component of this revitalization is the acquisition of self-propelled 155mm howitzers, with several systems emerging as the most sought-after: the CAESAR, K9 Thunder, Krab, Archer, PzH 2000, and ATMOS 2000. These platforms are now central to European defense strategies, each offering distinct advantages in mobility, firepower, and integration with NATO forces.
The experience of Ukraine has underscored the importance of mobility, rapid deployment, and logistical agility in an environment saturated with sensors and threatened by drones and counter-battery fire (Picture source: German MoD, French MoD, Polish MoD, Ukrainian MoD, Bae Systems, Elbit Systems)
The CAESAR 6x6, developed by KNDS France, continues to play a pivotal role in France’s modernization efforts, with 18 units scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2024, valued at 89.58 million USD. Additionally, a larger order for 109 CAESAR MkII units has been placed, with deliveries set to occur between 2026 and 2031, at a cost of 380.91 million USD. The CAESAR MkII is a significant upgrade from the original model, offering enhanced crew protection, digital fire control systems, and improved operational resilience. It is capable of firing a range of munitions, including Excalibur guided shells, with a maximum range of 55 km using rocket-assisted projectiles. Its shoot-and-scoot capabilities make it a highly mobile artillery system, capable of firing and relocating in under a minute.
France’s export success is also notable. Belgium has ordered 28 units of the CAESAR MkII, with deliveries beginning in 2027, for an estimated cost of 203 million USD. Lithuania has procured 18 units of the CAESAR MkII, with deliveries scheduled by 2027. Estonia has placed an order for 12 units, with expected delivery between 2024 and 2025. The system’s widespread adoption across Europe highlights its reliability, precision, and ability to operate in modern battlefield environments.
The K9 Thunder by Hanwha Aerospace has become one of the most sought-after self-propelled howitzers in Europe. Poland, one of the largest buyers, has placed an order for 212 K9A1 units, valued at 2.4 billion USD, to be delivered between 2022 and 2026. Additionally, Poland has ordered another 152 units of the K9A1 and K9PL (Polish version) for 2.6 billion USD, to be delivered from 2025 to 2027. Romania has also joined the K9 bandwagon with an order of 54 units to be delivered from 2027 for a total value of over 1 billion USD.
The K9 Thunder, with its impressive fire rate of up to 6 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 40 km using rocket-assisted projectiles, is a highly versatile and effective artillery system. The platform’s mobility is supported by its German-made MTU 1000 hp engine, providing a top speed of 67 km/h and a cruising range of 360 km. The K9 features an automatic loading system and an advanced fire control system, allowing for quick and accurate strikes. Its widespread adoption in NATO countries, including Norway, Estonia, and Finland, reflects its operational success.
The CAESAR 6x6, developed by KNDS France, continues to play a pivotal role in France’s modernization efforts, with 18 units scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2024, valued at 89.58 million USD (Picture source: KNDS)
The Krab, an indigenous Polish design, combines a South Korean K9 chassis with a British AS90 turret and a Polish fire control system. The system is capable of firing NATO-standard 155mm shells with a range of up to 40 km and is equipped with an automated loading system that enhances its rate of fire. The Polish Army has placed an order for 48 units, expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2027, valued at approximately 797 million USD.
The Krab’s design allows it to fire in less than a minute and relocate within 30 seconds, making it well-suited to the fast-paced, highly mobile battlefield. Its combination of proven international components and local production highlights Poland’s ongoing efforts to enhance its defense autonomy while contributing to NATO’s artillery capabilities. Poland has already delivered several Krab units to Ukraine, demonstrating its effective integration into modern combat operations.
The Archer 155mm howitzer, developed by BAE Systems Bofors in collaboration with Sweden’s FMV, is a fully automated, wheeled self-propelled system designed for rapid deployment and repositioning. Sweden has placed an order for 48 units of the Archer, with deliveries beginning in 2025, valued at approximately 500 million USD. The United Kingdom has also acquired 14 units, with deliveries between 2023 and 2024.
The Archer is known for its speed and efficiency. It can go from a standstill to firing its first round in under 30 seconds, and it is capable of firing up to 21 rounds in just 2.5 minutes. The system’s maximum firing range extends to 60 km with precision-guided munitions such as the Excalibur shell. The system is mounted on a Volvo 6x6 truck chassis, which provides excellent mobility across varied terrains. Its fully automated systems for ammunition handling and fire control reduce the crew size to just 3–4 operators, making it a highly efficient and cost-effective artillery platform.
The K9 Thunder, with its impressive fire rate of up to 6 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 40 km using rocket-assisted projectiles, is a highly versatile and effective artillery system (Picture source: Poland MoD)
The ATMOS 2000 by Elbit Systems is a wheeled 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed for rapid deployment and long-range strikes. It is mounted on a Tatra 6x6 chassis and capable of firing NATO-standard 155mm shells at ranges up to 40 km. The system features a semi-automatic loading system and advanced fire control capabilities, allowing it to fire 6 rounds in less than two minutes and reposition swiftly to avoid counter-battery fire.
The Danes have ordered 19 units of the ATMOS 2000, with deliveries set for 2023–2026, valued at 252 million USD. The ATMOS 2000 has proven its worth on the global stage, being deployed by various countries such as Azerbaijan, Thailand, and Uganda. Its lightweight design and high mobility make it ideal for countries seeking a balance between firepower and flexibility. The ATMOS is also known for its ability to integrate with existing NATO command and control systems, ensuring interoperability with allied forces.
The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000), developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in collaboration with Rheinmetall, remains one of Europe’s most advanced and widely deployed 155mm self-propelled howitzers. The system is designed for both long-range fires and high accuracy, featuring a Rheinmetall 155mm 52-caliber gun and a fully automated loading system. The PzH 2000 is capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute, with a maximum range of 40 km using base-bleed shells.
Germany has confirmed its order of 22 PzH 2000 units for approximately 437.82 million USD, with deliveries scheduled for 2025–2026. Additionally, Germany has provided Ukraine with 24 PzH 2000s in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Italy and the Netherlands have also been key users, with Germany maintaining an order for 12 new units to replace those delivered to Ukraine. The PzH 2000's extensive combat testing and proven capabilities have made it a central pillar of Germany’s artillery strength.
The PzH 2000 features an advanced fire control system, including a ballistic computer, a muzzle velocity measuring system, and an inertial navigation system, making it a fully autonomous weapon system capable of “shoot-and-scoot” operations. The turret of the PzH 2000 can rotate a full 360° with an elevation range from +65° to -2.5°. The system is designed for high operational flexibility, making it suitable for various combat scenarios, from traditional conflict zones to peacekeeping operations.
The PzH 2000 is known for its high mobility, achieving a top speed of 60 km/h and a cruising range of 420 km. Its all-welded steel armor offers protection against small arms fire and artillery shell fragments, while the vehicle can be fitted with additional armor for increased survivability in high-intensity combat.
The Archer 155mm howitzer, developed by BAE Systems Bofors in collaboration with Sweden’s FMV, is a fully automated, wheeled self-propelled system designed for rapid deployment and repositioning (Picture source: British MoD)
The shift towards self-propelled howitzers in Europe marks a significant doctrinal shift in artillery strategy. The experience of Ukraine has underscored the importance of mobility, rapid deployment, and logistical agility in an environment saturated with sensors and threatened by drones and counter-battery fire. As such, wheeled platforms like the CAESAR, ATMOS, and Archer offer distinct advantages in terms of maneuverability, often surpassing their heavier tracked counterparts, except in highly mechanized doctrines like those of Germany and Poland.
These acquisitions also respond to the growing political pressure to meet NATO’s defense spending goals, particularly the 2% GDP threshold for defense spending. They fit into a broader European effort to modernize and strengthen defense capabilities in the face of a major conflict with Russia. In addition, these purchases support the European defense industry while opening the door to non-European suppliers, such as South Korea and Israel, who are making significant inroads into the European market.
Ultimately, Europe is engaged in a massive reconstitution of its artillery, both in terms of volume and quality. While the diversification of suppliers reflects a desire for strategic autonomy and industrial resilience, it also raises questions about interoperability within NATO. The challenge ahead will not only be to deliver these systems on time but also to integrate them effectively into national and multinational defense structures, with doctrines, munitions, and training tailored to a possible return of high-intensity warfare on the continent.