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CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

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CAESAR
A French army CAESAR on Sherpa 10 in 2018
TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Place of originFrance
Service history
WarsWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
Operation Serval
Operation Chammal
Production history
DesignerGIAT Industries
Nexter Systems
ManufacturerNexter Systems
Specifications
Mass17.7 tonnes (6×6)
28.7-30.2 tonnes (8×8)[1]
Length10 m (32 ft 10 in)
12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) (8x8)[1]
Width2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) (8x8)[1]
Height3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) (8x8)[1]
Crew5-6 (3, emergency)
Main
armament
155 mm/52-calibre
Secondary
armament
none
Enginediesel
Suspension6x6 wheel
Operational
range
600 km (370 mi)
Maximum speed On-road: 100 km/h (62 mph)
Off-road: 50 km/h (31 mph)

The CAESAR (CAmion Équipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie; Template:Lang-fr)[2] is a French self-propelled 155 mm/52-calibre gun-howitzer, installed on a 6x6 truck chassis. Examples built for the French Army use a Renault Sherpa 10 chassis, examples built for export utilize the 6x6 Unimog U2450L chassis. The CAESAR platform was developed by the former GIAT Industries (now known as Nexter) and is operated by the French, Indonesian, Saudi Arabian, and Thai militaries.

Development

CAESAR was developed in the 1990s as a technology demonstrator by the French state-owned company GIAT Industries, in cooperation with Lohr Industrie. It was first shown in public in 1994. Four years later, a pre-production model underwent trials with the French Army.[3]

Design

CAESAR howitzer on a Unimog U2450L 6x6 chassis

The CAESAR is a wheeled, 155mm 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer. It holds 18 rounds and is typically operated by a crew of five, though if necessary, the CAESAR can be operated by as few as three persons. It can be transported by C-130 or A400M, and has a firing range of approximately 42 km using an Extended Range, Full Bore (ERFB) shell, and more than 50 km using rocket assisted shells. The system is integrated with a fully computerized system, providing automatic control. During Eurosatory 2006, CAESAR was exhibited with an automated laying system based on the SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.

Nexter is developing an armored cab for the CAESAR in response to demand for more protection for the crew. The additional armor will protect against IEDs and roadside bombs, anti-vehicle mines, and 155 mm shells landing as close as five meters (16 feet) away from the vehicle. It can be added to the cabs of existing CAESARs. Heavier armor will increase its weight by 400 kg (880 pounds) and raise the price by 4-5 percent.[4]

CAESAR 8x8

In 16 September 2015 at DSEI 2015, Nexter unveiled the CAESAR 8x8 which features a high level of mobility ensured by a modified Tatra T-815 8x8 chassis.[5] The 8x8 CAESAR is fitted as standard with an unarmoured forward control four-person cab, but one of the options is a fully armour protected cab. Gross vehicle weight would depend on the level of armour protection, but is about 30 tonnes. It is powered by a 410 hp diesel engine.[6]

Operators

Map of CAESAR operators in blue

Current operators

  •  France: The first order (for 5 howitzers) was passed on 20 September 2000. The first five units were delivered in 2003. Following the evaluation, the main order of 72 units were made in late 2004. In July 2008, the first cannon of the first series of eight was delivered to the French Army.[7] Although the order is not signed yet, a requirement was set for 32 more CAESAR on the Tatra 8*8 chassis to replace the last Auf1 by 2030[8]
  •  Indonesia: The Indonesian Army acquired 37 CAESAR units for $240 million, the first two arriving in mid September 2012. Another 18 were purchased in a follow-up order signed in February 2017.[9][10]
    Indonesian CAESAR self-propelled howitzer
  •  Lebanon: France has accepted to provide the Lebanese Army with 28 CAESAR systems, financed by the Saudi Arabian grant.[11]
  •  Saudi Arabia: In 2006, GIAT announced a 76-unit sale plus a 4-unit option to an unspecified foreign customer, later confirmed to be Saudi Arabia.[12] The 4 optional units became firm sales on January 2007. The two first units will be assembled in France as the 78 other ones will be assembled in Saudi Arabia.[13] In March 2010, the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) accepted its first four of a projected 100 systems.[14]
  •  Thailand: The 6 CAESAR is operated by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) from 2010, ordered in 2006, mounted on the Sherpa 6x6 truck chassis.[2][12]

Future operators

  •  Denmark: On 14 March 2017 the CAESAR 8x8 was chosen to become the new artillery system of the Royal Danish Army. 19 howitzers will be purchased and installed on Tatra 8×8 trucks. Deliveries are to commence in 2021-23.[15][16][17][18][19]
  •  Morocco In early 2020, Morocco confirms the acquisition of 30 6x6 CAESAR.[20][21]
  •  Czech Republic: In June 2020, CAESAR 8x8 won 200 million EUR contract for Czech Army. Czech Army decided to buy 52 howitzers that will be installed on the Czech Tatra 815–7T3RC1 8×8.[22]

Operational deployment

In June 2009, the French Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that eight CAESAR would be sent to Afghanistan to support French operations. They were deployed during the summer.[23]

Three were deployed 1 August 2009[24] by the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (3è RAMa), followed by five others, deployed as a firebase in FOB Tora, Tagab and Nijrab. They are fitted with cabin armor add-ons, with fireport.

The French army deployed this system in southern Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL peace keeping force.

During Operation Serval in Mali four CAESAR were deployed by the 68e régiment d'artillerie d'Afrique (68th Artillery Regiment of Africa).[25]

In April 2011, the Royal Thai Army used the CAESAR against Cambodia's BM-21. The Thai Army claimed that they destroyed more than 2 BM-21 systems.[26]

Several CAESAR were deployed in Mali during Operation Serval, in which they saw action in the Battle of Ifoghas, amongst others.

Four CAESAR were deployed to Iraq for the Battle of Mosul, where French forces supported the Iraqi Army's operation to reclaim Mosul from ISIL from October 2016 to July 2017.[27]

Multiple CAESAR were deployed to Iraq on the border with Syria from 8 November 2018 to April 2019 to support the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani, the ultimately successful operation to capture the final town held by the Islamic State group. They deployed to Firebase Saham, a base freshly constructed by the U.S. Army to provide fire support during the battle, especially during cloudy days when U.S. aircraft could not see to conduct airstrikes.[28]

CAESAR howitzers have been used by Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni war against civilian targets.[29]

  • On display, side profile of deployed howitzer
    On display, side profile of deployed howitzer
  • On display, close up of system
    On display, close up of system
  • Live fire in Afghanistan, August 2009
    Live fire in Afghanistan, August 2009
  • CAESAR gun line in Afghanistan, August 2009
    CAESAR gun line in Afghanistan, August 2009
  • Preparing to load the breech in Afghanistan, August 2009
    Preparing to load the breech in Afghanistan, August 2009
  • Firing into the Middle Euphrates River Valley from within Iraq, December 2018
    Firing into the Middle Euphrates River Valley from within Iraq, December 2018

See also

References

Citations
  1. ^ a b c d "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2018-06-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ a b Caesar self propelled gun-www.defense-update.com Archived 2007-10-21 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 13 February 2007
  3. ^ "Nexter Systems CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled gun (France), Self-propelled guns and howitzers (wheeled)". Jane's Armour and Artillery. February 10, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  4. ^ CAESAR Gets Bulletproof, Just In Case Archived 2013-06-18 at the Wayback Machine - Strategypage.com, 15 June 2013
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2017-10-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-02-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Daffix, Bruno. "La DGA livre le premier canon CAESAR à l'armée de terre". DGA. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  8. ^ Opex360; Artillerie : 32 CAESAR blindés remplaceront les derniers canons AUF1 en 2030 En savoir plus sur http://www.opex360.com/2015/10/24/artillerie-32-caesar-blindes-remplaceront-les-derniers-canons-auf1-en-2030/#xBBW5PRSGGXzg7iI.99; 24 October 2015 Archived 2017-03-21 at the Wayback Machine(in French)
  9. ^ "Défense : quand le Danemark veut du "Made in France"". La Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  10. ^ Tomkins, Richard (20 February 2017). "Nexter providing CAESAR howitzer systems to Indonesia". United Press International. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2014-12-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ a b Libération; Des canons français pour l'Arabie saoudite; 20 July 2006 Archived 21 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine(in French)
  13. ^ "Janes.com; Déjà 163 "feuilles" de laurier à la couronne de Caesar". Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  14. ^ [1] Archived 2010-04-08 at the Wayback Machine"Saudi Arabia takes delivery of first CAESARs",Jane's Information Group, 31 March 2010
  15. ^ "Nyt materiel til Forsvaret". www.fmn.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  16. ^ "Denmark selects CAESAR self-propelled 155mm gun-howitzer installed on an 8X8 truck chassis". Defence Blog. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  17. ^ Felstead, Peter (23 May 2017). "Nexter announces Danish 8x8 CAESAR contract". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  18. ^ https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/denmark_purchase_4_additional_nexter_caesar_8x8_self-propelled_howitzer.html
  19. ^ https://krigeren.dk/haerens-15-nye-artillerisystemer-leveres-naeste-aar-efter-coronaforsinkelse/
  20. ^ Guessous, Hamza (2020-01-22). "Morocco Plans to Acquire €400 Million in Armaments from France". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 2020-06-29. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  21. ^ Cabirol, Michel (2020-01-21). "Armement : le Maroc achète un peu de "Made in France" mais énormément de "Made in USA"". La Tribune. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  22. ^ https://www.armadninoviny.cz/houfnice-caesar-pro-armadu-ceske-republiky.html
  23. ^ Libération; La France va envoyer des CAESAR en Afghanistan; 29 June 2009 Archived 1 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine(in French)
  24. ^ http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_arrivee_des_caesa
  25. ^ "FOB – Forces Operations Blog » Mali: VBCI et Caesar engagés dans l'opération Serval". Archived from the original on 2014-11-05. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Artillery : Caesar Gets Bulletproof, Just In Case - RP Defense". RP Defense. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  27. ^ "Mossoul : le Charles de Gaulle manque le début de l'offensive". Ouest-France.fr (in French). 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  28. ^ Welch, Jason (2018-12-18). "Firebase Saham: A day in the life of joint-artillerymen securing the Iraq border". www.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  29. ^ "French-made tanks and howitzer canons used in Yemeni war: Disclose". Reuters. 2019-04-15. Archived from the original on 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
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