Surge in CAESAR Howitzer Production by 2025
**Amid growing global demand, France is set to significantly increase its production of the CAESAR howitzer, with plans to produce up to 8 units each month by 2025.** As the number of new customers rises, KNDS France is responding by expanding its production capacity. Prior to the onset of the Ukraine conflict, the company had a modest production capacity of just 2 units per month. However, they are determined to ramp this figure to 6 units by 2024, and eventually achieve their ambitious target of 8 units monthly within two years.
In line with these efforts, KNDS France anticipates manufacturing between 70 to 80 CAESAR units annually while aiming for the monthly production goal of 8 howitzers by 2025. This expansion is not merely a reaction to market demands but is reflective of a strategic industrial adaptation to enhance operational capabilities of the French army and its partners.
Response to Shifting Strategic Security Environment
The CAESAR Mark II towed howitzer has become particularly relevant in light of the evolving strategic landscape in Europe since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. This conflict has spotlighted the urgent need for faster industrial responses from the defense sector, prompting an aggressive procurement of advanced combat systems. In response, KNDS France has undertaken a significant transformation of its production infrastructure to meet these new demands.
According to reports from French publication La Tribune, substantial investments have been made to modernize and expand the production facilities in Roanne and Bourges. This expansion has been accompanied by a noteworthy increase in employment, particularly in Roanne, where the existing workforce has doubled from 850 in 2019 to over 1,550 in 2024, and is projected to reach 1,600 by 2025. This shift towards continuous production has enabled KNDS France to reduce delivery times by 50%, transitioning from a demand-driven model to a steady production flow.
The implications of this production surge are significant, as the CAESAR howitzer marks a comeback for France’s land-based defense capabilities in the international arena after a prolonged absence. With its sophisticated technology and adaptability, the howitzer has secured contracts with numerous armed forces across Europe.
Growing Customer Base for CAESAR Howitzers
With the rising number of orders, the CAESAR howitzer is revitalizing the French defense industry, opening up new avenues in the international market after nearly two decades. This artillery system is designed to be mounted on versatile 6×6 or 8×8 trucks, and comes equipped with cutting-edge navigation, targeting, and semi-automatic loading systems. It has gained traction among various armed forces, with 12 military clients, including six NATO allies from Europe, such as Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.
Moreover, Bulgaria has recently made its intentions clear to procure the CAESAR howitzer, reflecting a robust and expanding customer base. These howitzers are already integral to operations with the 55th Artillery Brigade deployed in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, highlighting the growing reliance on these systems in modern military strategies.
