Denmark to replace CAESAR 155mm howitzers donated to Ukraine with Israeli ATMOS.

According to a statement published by the Danish Ministry of Defense on January 26, 2023, after the donation to Ukraine of 19 French-made CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers that Denmark had ordered in May 2017, the Danish Government decided to acquire new artillery systems and negotiate now with Israel to acquire 19 ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers.
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Israeli-made Elbit Systems ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Elbit Systems)

Citing Danish Ministry of Defense (MoD) information, the procurement agency of the Danish armed forces has launched negotiations with the Israeli company Elbit Systems to acquire ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers as soon as possible.

The Israeli company Elbit Systems will be able to deliver the ATMOS artillery during the year, or early next year in order to maintain the combat capabilities of the Danish army artillery forces.

According to the Danish Ministry of Defense, France's offer was more attractive financially, but French Company Nexter, the producer of the CAESAR howitzers would not be able to deliver the new howitzer order on schedule.

Obviously, the Danish MoD's decision to choose another company over Nexter is facing difficulty. "The CAESAR howitzers have been proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine. Danish soldiers are trained to use them and they are also compatible with Denmark's defense computerized network system. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for Denmark to purchase the Israeli ATMOS artillery system, which does not meet any of these criteria." said a spokesperson of French company Nexter Systems.

The ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System) is a self-propelled artillery system developed by Elbit Systems for the Israeli Defense Forces. It features a 155mm howitzer mounted on a heavy truck chassis and is capable of fully autonomous operation, including navigation, target acquisition, and firing. The system also has the ability to be operated remotely and is designed to provide rapid and accurate fire support to ground troops in a wide range of terrain and weather conditions.

The ATMOS is armed with a 155 mm/L52 gun-howitzer which is able to fire all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition. The gun has a maximum firing range of 30 km with a standard HE (High Explosive) projectile and 41 km with extended-range projectiles and 56 km with the newly-developed rocket-assisted projectile.

The new Nexter 155mm 8x8 wheeled self-propelled howitzer of the Danish Army. (Picture source Danish MoD)