Czech Republic Orders 10 Additional CAESAR Howitzers From French Nexter Systems
On December 14, 2022, the Czech Ministry of Defense signed a new contract with the French company Nexter Systems to purchase ten additional CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. The contract, signed by Lubor Koudelka, Deputy Director of the Czech Republic Ministry of Defense’s Armaments and Acquisition Division, and Olivier Travert, Vice President of the French state company Nexter Systems, was in addition to the 52 CAESAR howitzers ordered in 2021. According to the Czech defense ministry, the additional contract is worth 1.77 billion Czech Koruna (approximately 73 million Euros). Thus, the 62-unit CAESAR howitzer cost the Czech Republic approximately 425 million Euros (or $451 million).
According to the Czech defense ministry, the additional purchase is a response not only to the worsening security situation, but also to the need for accelerated modernization. The ministry also stated that the NATO-compliant 155mm Caesar howitzers will replace the 152mm SpGH DANA howitzers, which have been in service in the Czech army for over forty years and have reached the end of their technical service life. Nexter Systems plans to deliver all of the howitzers to the Czech army by the end of 2026.
“By purchasing these guns, we are taking another step towards the much-needed modernization of our military and reducing the internal debt we still have with the military,” said defense minister Jana Černochová at the signing of the agreement. “I am very happy that by concluding the contract modification, we also managed to reserve capacity for the Czech Republic in production lines that are hopelessly busy for the next few years due to the war in Ukraine.”
The first advantage of Caesar howitzers over DANA howitzers for the Czech Republic is range. Because DANA howitzers are armed with a 152mm (36 caliber) gun, they technically cannot fire at distances greater than 20km. Caesar howitzers, on the other hand, can fire from a range of more than 40km. DANA howitzers have a maximum rate of fire of four rounds per minute, while Caesar howitzers have a rate of fire of six to eight rounds per minute. Furthermore, while DANA howitzers take 15 minutes to maneuver and fire, Caesar howitzers take only a third of that time. In comparison to DANA howitzers, Caesar howitzers can inflict a proportionally higher, more devastating effect on the target to support combat units.