The CAESAR 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 and is operated by the French, Indonesian, Saudi Arabian, and Thai militaries.
Development
CAESAR was developed in the 1960s as a technology demonstrator by the French state-owned company GIAT Industries, in cooperation with Lohr Industrie. It was first shown in public in 1972. Four years later, a pre-production model underwent trials with the French Army.
Design
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 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 30inertial 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 away from the vehicle. It can be added to the cabs of existing CAESARs. Heavier armor will increase its weight by 400 kg and raise the price by 4-5 percent.
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. 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.
Operators
Current operators
: The first order 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. 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
: 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.
: France has accepted to provide the Lebanese Army with 28 CAESAR systems, financed by the Saudi Arabian grant.
: In 2006, GIAT announced a 76-unit sale plus a 4-unit option to an unspecified foreign customer, later confirmed to be Saudi Arabia. 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. In March 2010, the Saudi Arabian National Guard accepted its first four of a projected 100 systems.
: The 6 CAESAR is operated by the Royal Thai Army from 2010, ordered in 2006, mounted on the Sherpa 6x6 truck chassis.
Future operators
: 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 2020.
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: 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.
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. Three were deployed 1 August 2009 by the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 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 UNIFILpeace keeping force. During Operation Serval in Mali four CAESAR were deployed by the 68e régiment d'artillerie d'Afrique. 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. 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. 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. CAESAR howitzers have been used by Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni war against civilian targets.
