KNDS, the French-German manufacturer of land armaments, is optimistic about its Caesar howitzer’s chances in the U.S. Army competition aimed at replacing the M777 artillery system. Olivier Fort, the marketing executive for the truck-mounted 155 millimeter cannon and a former French artillery colonel, made these remarks after a firing exercise at Canjuers military base on Monday.
The Caesar howitzer has built a strong reputation among American artillery crews, particularly from its use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fort emphasized this point, highlighting that the weapon performed well in difficult conditions, where it was often deployed alongside U.S. forces. He noted the high firing rates during operations in Iraq, where the French Army let off 18,000 shells, with a significant proportion fired at extended ranges.
In recent developments, KNDS announced a partnership with Leonardo DRS to bring the Caesar howitzer to the United States. Market analysis suggests that the Army may purchase approximately 400 self-propelled howitzers to succeed towed M777 units. However, Fort mentioned he has yet to see a formal request for proposal.
Historically, French forces demonstrated the capabilities of the Caesar in various conflict zones, maintaining a solid track record. The cannon can utilize up to six propellant charges, giving it the ability to fire accurately over distances of up to 40 kilometers. With over 720 orders from 14 countries, including approximately 120 units supplied to Ukraine, the Caesar has been versatile in its applications, existing in both six- and eight-wheeled truck variants.
KNDS previously participated in a U.S. Army artillery shoot-off competition in 2021, testing the Caesar against competitors like Elbit’s Atmos and BAE System’s Archer. Fort noted that the Caesar’s experience in Ukraine has provided it with continual improvements stemming from real battlefield feedback. He highlighted that the competition for the upcoming U.S. Army contract will be more limited than in 2021, with multiple contenders, including Elbit and BAE Systems.
The U.S. Army has expressed a preference for domestically produced cannons, leading KNDS to collaborate with Leonardo DRS, a substantial American firm. Fort assured that under this partnership, the Caesar system’s core components, including the barrel, would be manufactured in the U.S. Despite different operating environments, Fort pointed out that both American and Ukrainian operations offer valuable technical insights to enhance artillery systems.
Overall, as the U.S. Army observes technical lessons from ongoing operations in Ukraine, they remain committed to developing artillery solutions that align with their operational strategies.
