CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

The CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie; French: Truck equipped with an artillery system)^[1] 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.^[2]

The Caesar artillery system evolved from the earlier 155 AM F3 automotive gun, which used the chassis of the AMX-13 light tank.

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 men. 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 an 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.^[3]

Caesar 8x8

In 16 September 2015, Nexter has unveiled the Caesar 8x8 at DSEI 2015 with high level of mobility ensured by a modified TATRA 8x8 chassis. The 8x8 Caesar being shown is fitted with a standard 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

•  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.^[6] 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.^[7] In March 2010, the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) accepted its first four of a projected 100 systems.^[8]
•  Indonesia: Indonesian Army acquired 37 units of Caesars for 240 million dollars and the first two arrived on mid September 2012.^[9][10]
•  Lebanon: France has accepted to provide Lebanon with 28 CAESAR systems, financed by the Saudi grant.^[11]
•  Thailand: The 6 CAESAR is operated by Royal Thailand Army (RTA) from 2010, ordered in 2006, mounted on the Sherpa6x6 truck chassis.^[1][6]

Potential operators

•  Denmark: The CAESAR is competing to become the new artillery system of the Danish Army. The budget will support from 9-21 howitzers.^[12][13]

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.^[14]

Three were deployed 1 August 2009^[15] 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 as the UNIFIL peace keeping force.

During Operation Serval in Mali 4 CAESAR were deployed by the 68^e régiment d'artillerie d'Afrique (68th Artillery of Africa Regiment).^[16]

In April 2011, the Royal Thai Army used the CAESAR against Cambodia's BM-21, Thai Army claimed that they destroyed more than 2 BM-21 systems.^[17]

Four CAESAR were deployed to Iraq for the Battle of Mosul, where French forces are supporting the Iraqi army and an international coalition forces to reclaim Mosul from ISIL in October 2016.^[18]

Gallery

• 
  On display, side profile of deployed howitzer.
• 
  On display, close up of system.
• 
  Live fire in Afghanistan, August 2009.
• 
  CAESAR gun line in Afghanistan, August 2009.
• 
  Preparing to load the breech in Afghanistan, August 2009.
• 
  Nexter Caesar Heavy Version

See also

• DANA
• ZUZANA
• ATMOS 2000
• Nora B-52
• Archer
• A-222 Bereg
• G6 howitzer

References

Citations

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camion équipé d'un système d'artillerie.

• (English) Caesar Renault Sherpa 5 Nexter wheeled self-propelled howitzer
• (English) Caesar 155mm Artillery System, France
• (English) CAESAR page at Janes.com
• (French) CAESAR description by Nexter Systems

Vehicles of the French Army
Armoured cavalry	AMX-30 ERC 90 Sagaie AMX 10 RC AMX Leclerc AMX-10P AuF1 VAB VBL VBCI
Artillery, transport and combat engineering	AuF1 MLRS TRF1 Caesar Peugeot P4 ACMAT SYRANO EBG EFA DNG
French Army Light Aviation	Alouette III Gazelle Puma Super Puma Tiger Fennec Cougar NH90