Croatia wants to purchase 30 French CAESAR self-propelled howitzers by the end of 2025.

On March 25, 2025, Croatian Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić met in Paris with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu during an official visit to the French Republic. The meeting addressed Croatia’s ongoing and planned procurements of French military equipment, including the purchase of 30 CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, the delivery of the Mistral 3 short-range air defense system, and upgrades to Rafale multirole fighter aircraft. These discussions are part of broader cooperation frameworks established between Croatia and France since 2021 and align with the European Union’s ReArm Europe strategy for joint procurement and defense capability reinforcement.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The CAESAR has seen operational use by multiple countries and has been exported to Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine, among others. (Picture source: Multinational Corps Northeast)

Croatia’s defense partnership with France began with the acquisition of 12 used Rafale aircraft and continued with the signing of a Framework Agreement for the joint procurement of CAESAR howitzers on June 17, 2024, during the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris. This Framework Arrangement, signed by a Croatian delegation led by Ivica Grebenar, Director of the Directorate for Material Resources, enables France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) to carry out procurement on behalf of Croatia upon the signing of an Acquisition Order. The agreement is non-binding, and each country finances its procurement through national budgets, potentially supplemented by EU co-financing under the EDIRPA program, which covers up to 15% of costs. Croatia plans to sign a contract by the end of 2025 for the purchase of 30 CAESAR systems. The decision marks a shift from the previously anticipated additional Panzerhaubitze 2000 acquisitions and reflects a broader move toward joint European procurement channels.

The CAESAR (CAmion Équipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) is a French-designed 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer produced by KNDS France. It can fire up to six rounds per minute and is capable of engaging targets up to 42 kilometers away with ERFB ammunition and up to 50 kilometers with rocket-assisted shells. The system is typically operated by a crew of three to five and features integrated GPS, inertial navigation, and a ballistic computer. Designed for rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot operations, the 6x6 CAESAR weighs under 18 tonnes, has a top road speed of 100 km/h, and a range of 600 km. It is air-transportable by C-130 or A400M aircraft and is available in multiple chassis configurations, including Sherpa 5 and Tatra 8x8.

The CAESAR has seen operational use by multiple countries and has been exported to Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine, among others. In Europe, its adoption is increasing, with Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania ordering CAESAR NG variants. The system has been used in conflicts including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Mali, and Ukraine. Estonia received its first batch of CAESARs in January 2025, and France plans to receive 109 CAESAR Mark II systems between 2026 and 2030. Croatia is considering acquiring both CAESAR Mk1 and potentially Mk2 systems, with a long-term requirement of 54 to 60 systems to equip three artillery battalions. The joint purchase structure is intended to reduce acquisition and logistics costs over time.

During the bilateral meeting, Minister Anušić reiterated Croatia’s interest in acquiring a medium-range air defense system and confirmed that the country will receive its full order of short-range Mistral 3 air defense systems by the end of 2025. He emphasized that while the need for equipment is pressing, the procurement process would continue strategically and systematically, with an understanding of both urgency and long-term planning requirements. The VL MICA NG has been named a preferred candidate due to its interoperability with Rafale aircraft. Croatia is also exploring long-range air defense options, with the French Aster SAMP/T NG and the US Patriot system as potential candidates, though no decision has been made. The discussion also covered potential financing options, such as competitively priced long-term loans through the European Commission’s SAFE instrument, which aims to mobilize up to €150 billion for defense-related procurement.

Croatia’s broader modernization efforts include the procurement of eight M142 HIMARS systems from the United States, worth $287 million. Croatia is the fourth EU country approved for HIMARS acquisition. The country is also in the process of acquiring 50 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks from Germany, which will replace the M-84A4 tanks—30 of which, along with 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles, are being transferred to Ukraine. Deliveries of Bradley M2A2 ODS infantry fighting vehicles and Black Hawk helicopters are ongoing, and Croatia has signed a €67 million contract for six Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as a a strategic partnership with Rheinmetall for the co-development of unmanned ground systems (UGS). The Croatian Armed Forces aim to replace remaining Soviet-era artillery and air defense systems by 2030 and are expanding domestic drone production as part of a broader effort to address capability gaps and align more closely with NATO standards.

Croatia’s artillery capabilities are currently undergoing restructuring, following the transfer of a significant portion of legacy systems to Ukraine. The Croatian Army presently operates 16 German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, which constitute the main component of the country’s active long-range artillery units. Nine Soviet-designed 2S1 Gvozdika 122 mm tracked howitzers also remain in service but are expected to be retired and potentially donated. In recent years, Croatia has supplied Ukraine with a number of D-30 RH M94 122 mm and M-46 130 mm towed howitzers, resulting in a reduced stock of artillery and limited availability of 122 mm and 130 mm ammunition. As part of its modernization plan, Croatia intends to acquire at least 36 to 58 wheeled 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems. The CAESAR system has been identified as the preferred solution, with an initial order of 30 units planned for 2025 and a possible total requirement of 54 systems plus six additional units. Additionally, Croatia planned to purchase at least 12 more PzH 2000 systems under the previous government. The objective is to establish and maintain three self-propelled artillery battalions, with at least one equipped with tracked systems. This process is intended to replace the Soviet artillery inventory by the early 2030s.