Briefing on the CAESAR 6×6 MkII artillery system in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and KNDS CEO Jean-Paul Alary at KNDS at Satory | Photo: KNDS France
Croatia has signed a contract to procure 18 CAESAR 6×6 MkII artillery systems and 15 Serval 4×4 armored vehicles as part of a wider effort to modernise its artillery forces. The agreement was concluded on December 08 during Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s visit to Paris, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić. Portions of the signing took place at the KNDS facility in Satory in the presence of French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and KNDS CEO Jean-Paul Alary, followed by a ceremony at the Élysée Palace attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
The acquisition is enabled through a French joint procurement mechanism managed by the DGA and is financed by European SAFE programme funds, with Croatia allocated approximately €1.7 billion. The contract supports Croatia’s plan to establish a second artillery regiment equipped with wheeled systems, complementing its existing PzH 2000 tracked regiment.
The order covers 18 CAESAR MkII units mounted on Arquus chassis and fitted with the ATLAS fire-control system and Thales radios. It also includes a full regimental capability package of radars, command-and-control elements, logistics vehicles, optronic equipment, and 15 Serval armored vehicles from the SCORPION family, intended for command and observation roles.
KNDS described the procurement as strengthening European defence cooperation. Jean-Paul Alary said, “We thank Croatia for its trust. The choice of the CAESAR® and the Serval confirms the relevance of KNDS solutions in meeting today’s operational needs and reflects the vitality of European defense cooperation.”
The CAESAR 6×6 MkII features a 155mm/52-calibre gun, upgraded protection, a more powerful engine, enhanced mobility, and a modernised digital architecture supporting NATO interoperability.
Discover more from StratPost
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
