CAmion Équipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie (CAESAR)
French Artillery Lesson
In the late 1990s, there were two artillery systems available for the use of the French Armée de Terre (Army of the Land aka Army):
The “Canon de 155mm modèle F3 Automoteur”, developed in the 1950s
The “Automoteur modèle F1" (AuF1) developed in the 1970s, which was one of only two systems at the time equipped with an autoloader
Both of those systems are heavy (which increases deployment costs), do not protect the crew from elements in the case of the MkF3, and their operating ranges are limited to 20-30 kilometers with several shots per minute.
Developing the next generation
GIAT Industries, a state-owned weapons manufacturer now known as Nexter Systems (a lot of French armament industry was rebranded to appeal to the Anglo market) decided to tackle this problem. Their objective was to deliver equivalent performance for lower costs. In 1992, GIAT began developing a revolutionary prototype.
They ditched the tank chassis to instead adopt a truck platform. This simplifies maintenance and lowers the mass which makes the system much more transportable by air. Furthermore, it allows the increase of the cannon’s caliber. Finally, a vetronics-minded solution for inertial navigation and accuracy.
The first prototype was unveiled in 1994 as CAESAR (Truck Equipped with an Artillery System). GIAT successfully demonstrated they could fit a high caliber gun on a truck platform, and that it would be structurally sound. This peaked the interest of the Army Staff which promptly requested a second prototype. The vehicle was delivered in 1998 and tested in France then Malaysia.
This second vehicle presented a cabin developed by Lohre Industrie. Both of the prototypes made use of the Unimog U2450 6x6 sold by Mercedes-Benz. The choice of a German vehicle was due to the lack of French trucks with a suitable chassis to support the weapon system. A Renault diesel truck engine was however used with 215 horsepower.
This enabled a speed of around 80 km/h on roads and 50km/h off-road. The full autonomy reached 600km. Additionally, GIAT outfitted it with a SYEGON centralized tire inflation system. It allows the automatic adjustments of pneumatics according to the terrain type.
The 39 cal. gun on the AuF1 was replaced with a 155mm/52 cal. cannon. This allows a range of 29km with hollow base, 42km with base bleed, and 50km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The rate of fire will be of six per minute, compared to 3 for the AuF1. The demonstrations pass evaluations with flying colors, a pre-production vehicle is ordered.
The base armor satisfies the Level 2 of NATO’s STANAG 4569 and a further armor kit is offered as an option. All electronics are updated and the air conditioning is improved. The pre-production model is also outfitted with the THALES ATLAS targeting system as well as a SAFRAN inertial navigation system.
All the way up to 2003, five of these pre-production models were delivered to the French Army. This small order allows the training of artillery troops able to effectively evaluate the deployment of CAESAR.
In 2003, the Army decides to order more of them, all while continuing to bring the AuF1 up to modern standards as the AuF2. However in 2004, the modernization of the AuF1 was abandoned entirely by the DGA (Directorate General of Armaments) in favor of an order for 72 CAESARs.
In operation
In 2008, the first series is released but with several modifications over the pre-production models. The Unimog platform is replaced with a Renault Trucks Sherpa 5, made in France. The armor is improved, a THALES radio is added, and a SAGEM SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.
Compared to the AuF1’s 2-3 minutes battery setup, CAESAR’s time is reduced to less than one minute. Better, CAESAR can be placed, fire eight shells, and pack up in as much time as the AuF1’s setup. The system can be transported via C-130, A400M, IL76, and C-17.
The crew is composed of five members, and if needed it can be operated by only three in an emergency. CAESAR is compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition, and can store up to eighteen shells. Earlier this year, it fired the American Excalibur at 46km. The French intelligent Katana shell is also being tested, with a range of up to 60km.
While CAESAR has been in production for around two decades now, it is in constant evolution with several models destined for export. The main disadvantage of CAESAR compared to the AuF1 is the armor. The AuF1 had 80mm of armor on the front of the cabin and 20mm for the casemate. This is a non-issue in the French OPEX (Exterior Operations) theaters, such as Central Africa, where there is virtually no counter-battery fire.
On the other hand, in other more distantly related conflicts this is a problem. That is why the Army ordered a further armored version, scheduled for 2025, which brings CAESAR up to Level 3 of NATO’s STANAG 4569. Additionally, it will be able to store up to thirty-two shells. The targeting system will also be improved, thermal optics will be installed, and the engine will be upgraded to 410 horsepower.
The next generation of CAESAR Mk2 is also being developed, with a better engine and upgraded electronics which will integrate with the SCORPION program.
Foreign deployments
The first foreign deployment included Afghanistan in 2009. Eight systems were deployed with the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment and the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment. Next is Lebanon and Cambodia in 2011, Iraq in 2016, and Yemen in 2019.
These deployments grant the CAESAR the coveted “combat proven vehicle” stamp. Besides all the technical and tactical achievements of the system, its cost attracts a first order of 76 vehicles to Saudi Arabia in 2006 prior to being combat proven. The Saudis order another 52 models shortly after.
Thailand orders 6 in 2006, followed by Indonesia in 2012 with 37 models and 18 more in 2017. Denmark orders CAESAR in the same year, then Morocco in 2020 with a 36 vehicles order. The Czech Republic orders 52 in mid-2020. Belgium requests 9 in 2021. Lithuania has signed a letter of intent to purchase the system, and the Iraqi government is also in talks to purchase it. Finally, the United States has been in negotiations since July 2020 to acquire 18 vehicles to replace the Howitzers of its troops stationed in Europe.
In Ukraine, the French Army supplied twelve systems from its own stock (76 vehicles). During President Macron’s visit in June, he committed to supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces with six additional models. Each of them being valued at around 5 million euros. There are currently no additional orders to replenish the French stock. This effectively means that the French Army has lost nearly a quarter of its own stock.
The future
The CAESAR system revolutionized artillery weapon systems. It is simply the most advanced artillery system on the market. This is always visible when looking at how many copies, variants, knockoffs of a good weapon system are produced by other countries. To date we have the following, and more:
Russian Malva
Swedish Archer Artillery System
Israeli Atmos 2000
Japanese Type 19
While it still has a long life ahead of it, Nexter Systems is already developing its successor via the Franco-German CIFS program. However, the German Army is already equipped with the PzH 2000. This means, as usual, that France will be held up by its European partners until 2045 when the Germans decide to replace their systems.
France is also facing the issue of raw materials. Replacing CAESARs requires specialized steel, and it must import it. France must decide, whether it wishes to keep working towards the illusive “European Army” or take matters into its own hands.