In September 2021, the Czech Republic confirmed the order of 52 CAESAr [Camions équipés d’un système d’artillerie] in 8×8 version with the French group Nexter. This contract, with an estimated value of 335 million euros, should involve the local industry – in particular Tatra – for 40%.
Since then, the CAESAr, the 6×6 version of which has proven its qualities in service with the army in Ukraine, has been adopted by Belgium [28 unités] and Lithuania [pour 18 exemplaires]. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Defense launched a program to develop a new CAESAr generation last February, which is said to be better protected and have a more powerful engine.
“By choosing the CAESAr in its eight-wheel drive version, the Czech Ministry of Defense is opting for a system perfectly suited to high-intensity combat,” argued Nexter, applauding the choice Prague made just there a little over a year ago.
Considering the feedback [RETEX] of the war in Ukraine and its consequences for security in Europe, the Czech general staff had to consider that the 52 CAESAr ordered in 2021 were not numerous enough. Hence the announcement of April 16.
In fact, Czech Defense Ministry spokesman David Šebek announced that on December 15 an amendment to the current contract was signed with Olivier Travert, Vice President of Nexter Systems, to increase the number of CAESAr 8×8s by the Czech Army expected in 62 copies.
Armáda získá nad rámec již objednaných 52 del dalších 10 kusů moderního samohybného děla CAESAR. Namestek Ministryně obrany Lubor Koudelka a Viceprezident Francouzské státní společnosti NEXTER SYSTEMS Olivier Travert ve středu podepsali dodatek smlouvy.
👉https://t.co/HX6ivOcb7Z pic.twitter.com/CkO026mKgC— Ministerstvo obrany (@ObranaTweetuje) December 16, 2022
The order value for these ten additional CAESArs amounts to 1.77 billion Czech crowns or around 73 million euros. Their delivery should be completed in 2026.
At the same time, the Czech STV group, which has already been selected to supply these CAESArs with 155mm shells and modular charges, will have to supply “tens of thousands” of additional ammunition.
Thus, “the ministry not only responded to the deterioration of security in the world by accelerating modernization projects, but also by completing the number of equipment to be procured at the request of the army,” argued Mr. Šebek.
With these additional CAESArs, “we are taking a new step towards the fundamental modernization of our army and the reduction of the internal debt we still have to it,” explains Jana Černochová, the Czech Ministry of Defense.
As a reminder, the Czech CAESAr 8×8, intended to replace the 152mm Dana ZTS self-propelled howitzers that have been in service for more than 40 years, have a mass in battle order of 32 tons. Equipped with an inertial unit for land navigation and gun targeting, a muzzle radar and a ballistic computer, they can fire all NATO-standard ERFB ammunition, as well as BONUS shells at targets at a distance of 40-50 km.