KNDS Completes First Two Caesar Howitzers for Czech Army

30 November, 2024 Two Caesar self-propelled guns for the Czech Army at the KNDS plant. Photo credits: Czech Radio KNDS has already produced the first two Caesar self-propelled artillery systems (SAU) out of 62 ordered for the Czech army.

This was reported by the Czech media outlet Radiozurnal. The self-propelled artillery systems are still at the factory in France. They are due to arrive in the Czech Republic in March 2025 after firing tests.

"This is a very important contract. It will make the Czech Republic one of the best-armed European countries in terms of artillery systems," Gabriel Massoni, KNDS spokesman stated.

Czech order for Caesar self-propelled artillery systems

The Czech Republic ordered 52 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems in September 2021, but in December 2022 increased the order by another 10 vehicles. The total value of the contract is CZK 10.3 billion, or almost £451 million.

It is planned that all the self-propelled systems will be delivered to the Czech army by the end of 2026. One of the peculiarities of this order is that the Czech Republic ordered a version of the howitzer based on an 8x8 chassis manufactured by the Czech company Tatra. As a result, the howitzers will have a larger transportable ammunition load and will be better protected than the 6x6 chassis version.

Caesar 8x8 self-propelled artillery system.

Photo credits: NEXTER

Another feature of the Czech contract is the 40% participation of Czech companies, including CSG, Tatra, Retia and Explosia. The Czech army was initially supposed to start testing the howitzers this year. However, due to changes in the supply chain, military trials are scheduled only for next summer.

KNDS also confirmed to the journalists its plans to increase the number of Caesar self-propelled artillery systems transferred to Ukraine to 80 units by the end of 2024. In addition, according to the company's representatives, Ukrainians have learned to operate and repair these systems very quickly, using spare parts provided by KNDS. The company also produces various types of artillery ammunition for Caesar howitzers and is trying to scale up production.

However, it faces challenges with raw materials shortages, especially gunpowder, whose price has risen fivefold in recent years.

Production of 155mm ammunition at the KNDS plant.

Photo credits: Czech Radio

"We were not able to increase production as much as we would have liked because of the lack of powder.

We were not able to meet the demands of some customers, such as the Ukrainians," Herve Le Breton, head of the KNDS ammunition plant, noted.