On 15 December 2022, the French and Lithuanian defence ministers signed a technical cooperation agreement in the artillery sector, including an order for 18 CAESAR 6X6 MkII truck-mounted howitzers for the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Nexter writes in a press release.
According to the company, the Czech Republic ordered 10 CAESAR 8X8 to complement the 52 systems ordered in 2021. These contracts bring the number of CAESAR systems ordered in different versions by four customers to 55.
CAESAR 6X6 MkII is a new version of the truck equipped with a 155mm artillery system. The development of this version was ordered in 2021 by the French defence procurement agency DGA for the needs of the French Army. It combines a new chassis designed by Arquus, a cabin with increased protection and the artillery system of the version already in service.
In 2022, the artillery system designed and manufactured by Nexter has been subject to a number of achievements, Nexter emphasises Contracts awarded by the DGA include 18 CAESAR 6X6 MkI to replenish the systems transferred to Ukraine from French Army stocks.
Besides, Nexter could win two new user countries: Belgium and Lithuania ordered 9 and 18 CAESAR 6X6 MkII respectively. The development of this new version was launched in December 2021 by France. Its entry into service is planned for 2026. For its national configuration, Lithuania will actively participate in the development phase of its 18 systems.
JH
