On September 30, 2021, Czech Defense Minister Lubomír Metnar signed a contract for the acquisitionof 52 CAESAR self-propelled artillery guns in an eight-wheel drive (8x8) version, in the presence ofFrench Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly and Nicolas Chamussy, CEO of Nexter Group.
Withthis major order, the Czech Republic becomes the third European customer and the seventh user ofthe CAESAR in the world. With more than 350 units ordered in France and abroad, the CAESAR is thebenchmark in the wheeled artillery systems market.
After the sale of 19 CAESAR 8x8 to Denmark mounted on Tatra Trucks chassis and the supply of 6x6TITUS armored vehicles to the Czech Army, produced under license with the Czechoslovak Group(CSG), cooperation between Nexter and the Czech defense industry is developing around a large-scaleartillery program. In addition to Tatra Trucks, who supplies the chassis, the contract provides for theinvolvement of several CSG Group companies: Excalibur Army is in charge of assembling the CAESARsintended for the Czech Republic, Tatra Defence Vehicles produces the armored cabin locally, and RETIAintegrates the communication resources and equipment linked to the artillery fire control system. Thepartnership also covers ammunition, mainly with the companies STV and Explosia, to enable localsupply of conventional shells and modular charges. Special ammunition such as complex ammunitionor ammunition with insensitive explosives will be supplied by Nexter’s ammunition unit.
CAESAR is a 155mm (52 caliber) self-propelled gun in service since 2008. This weapon system, designed by Nexter, is the main armament of the French army’s artillery regiments as well as many foreign artilleries that have chosen this robust, high-performance gun. Designed for direct support of troops in contact or support in depth, it has proven its worth in numerous external operations. Its high performance makes Nexter an undisputed reference in the field of land artillery.
By selecting the CAESAR eight-wheel drive (8x8) version, the Czech Ministry of Defense has chosen a system that is perfectly suited to high-intensity combat. On the one hand, this version of the CAESAR carries 36 shells, which gives it a high ammunition autonomy. On the other hand, resupply is carried out at a high rate (three minutes compared with ten for its fully automated competitors). Thanks to its low mass, the CAESAR 8x8 has a lower fuel consumption than heavy tracked howitzers, which is a major advantage in high-intensity combat configurations where the fluidity of logistical supplies is threatened by long-range artillery. Lastly, the CAESAR is recognized for its excellent battery in and out of action performance.
Nicolas Chamussy, CEO of Nexter Group, praises the Czech Republic’s decision to acquire an “innovative, proven artillery system known for its high reliability. Following the TITUS program launched in 2019, this additional acquisition is a testament to the quality of the partnership between Nexter and the Czech defense industry. Thanks to this new success, Nexter is once again contributing to the consolidation of the European defense industrial base”.
Nexter, the leading French land defense company and third European player in the ammunition sector is part of the KNDS Group. The scope of its business includes as well the supply of weapon systems and ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the field of homeland security. The group continues to apply its international development policy with several order intakes in 2020 intended for the export market.
In France, Nexter is fully committed to meeting the objectives of the SCORPION program, through the upgrade of the Leclerc tank and the development of the VBMR GRIFFON and EBRC JAGUAR vehicles within the temporary business venture between Nexter, Thales and Arquus, as well as the Lightweight VBMR SERVAL.
The group’s range of products also includes TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), robots, many equipment, as well as customer service, support and revaluation.
KNDS’s 2020 turnover amounted to €2.4 billion.
