Nexter KNDS speeds up production of CAESAR self-propelled howitzers for French Army.

Nexter KNDS on October 17 tweeted information about French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu visiting the factory where accelerated production of CAESAR 6x6 self-propelled howitzers is on the way. “Our teams were able to mobilize and demonstrate responsiveness to move to a war economy: the delivery time to the Forces for CAESAR guns was halved, and we managed to triple our production rate,” Nexter KNDS tweeted.
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 French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu visiting the factory where accelerated production of CAESAR 6x6 self-propelled howitzers is on the way (Picture source: Twitter account f Nexter KNDS)

Nexter KNDS has taken swift action to expedite the production of its renowned CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. This initiative comes as a response to the delivery of 18 CAESARs to Ukraine. Before the end of 2023, the French Army is set to receive its first batch of CAESAR 6x6 self-propelled howitzers. The Army will take delivery of up to six brand-new CAESARs by 2024.

This initial delivery is part of the 2024 budget proposal and will be followed by the completion of the remaining 12 systems next year. This aligns with earlier plans and has been made possible due to industry concessions aimed at accelerating production. With this delivery and completion of the batch, the Army will bring its inventory back to its original figure of 76 pieces.

Background

In a demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine, France provided the Ukrainian Armed Forces with 18 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to bolster their artillery capabilities. To ensure that this transfer of assets no longer threatens the artillery capabilities of the French Army, Nexter KNDS has initiated a comprehensive plan to accelerate production.

Nexter KNDS has invested in expanding its production capacity. This includes optimizing manufacturing processes, streamlining supply chains, and increasing production line efficiency. The company has redirected resources and skilled personnel to the CAESAR production line to expedite assembly and testing processes, ensuring faster turnaround times. Collaborative efforts with suppliers and subcontractors have been intensified to reduce lead times for critical components and materials required for CAESAR production. Nexter KNDS has leveraged its research and development capabilities to identify opportunities for design and process improvements, resulting in a more efficient production workflow.

Despite the accelerated production, rigorous quality control measures remain in place to ensure that each CAESAR howitzer meets the company's high standards for performance and reliability.

With the delivery and completion of the new production, the Army will bring its inventory back to its original figure of 76 CAESARs (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Defense News October 2023