French MoD awards Nexter contract to develop Caesar 6x6 Mark II
Caesar 6x6 Mark II new-generation artillery system. (Photo: Nexter)
The new generation Caesar 6x6 retains the baseline configuration of the artillery system but adds some improvements in terms of protection and manoeuvrability.
The French MoD is progressing with its efforts to improve its artillery capabilities with the selection of Nexter to develop the Caesar 6x6 Mark II system.
Deliveries of the new platforms are scheduled to take place by 2031. French defence procurement agency DGA
awarded Nexter a four-year initial development and qualification phase contract.
According to a Nexter press release on 19 February, in 2024 the DGA will decide either to launch the production of 109 new Caesar 6x6 Mark II vehicles or to manufacture 33 new Mark IIs and retrofit 76 in-service Caesars.
The new-generation Caesar 6x6 retains the current configuration of the artillery system and adds some improvements in terms of protection and manoeuvrability.
The vehicle has been redesigned by Arquus and is equipped with a far more powerful engine (460hp compared to 215hp previously), a new automatic gearbox and a new chassis. Nexter is also adding a NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 armoured cabin that is resistant to IED and small-calibre ammunition.
Additionally, the platform will carry the latest version of fire-control software and will be prepared to accommodate the new Contact radio and the Thales Barage jammer.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![First UK-made British Army Boxer rolled out]()
First UK-made British Army Boxer rolled out
The first batch of 623 Boxer ordered were built in Germany with the majority of the work now done in West Midlands and North-East Wales.
-
![Bidders for the British Army Land Mobility Programme stir as the process begins]()
Bidders for the British Army Land Mobility Programme stir as the process begins
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) is seen as vital for both the British Army and local industry as it is worth billions-of-dollars for thousands of vehicles.
-
![South Korea to develop long-range interceptor for Iron Dome by 2028]()
South Korea to develop long-range interceptor for Iron Dome by 2028
Around US$329 million will be spent on the development of the interceptor which will work to protect national and military facilities from the threat of North Korean artillery.
-
![Germany places $342 million for Rheinmetall logistics trucks]()
Germany places $342 million for Rheinmetall logistics trucks
The trucks are being ordered within a framework agreement concluded in July 2024 which covers the delivery of up to 6,500 trucks worth up to €3.5 billion (US$3.6 billion).
-
![Kongsberg Defence Australia to supply control stations to Poland under $12 million deal]()
Kongsberg Defence Australia to supply control stations to Poland under $12 million deal
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System (CDS) command and control (C2) console is derived from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System air defence console currently in service with the Australian Army,
