Paris.19 June 2024. Almost 200 KNDS artillery systems are in service or under contract for Ukraine. Ukraine becomes the 9th user of the PzH 2000, 400 of which have been ordered by several European customers, and the 10th user of the CAESAR of which more than 600 have been ordered since it came into service.
The CAESAR has proven to be robust, reliable and easy to maintain as much in counter-insurgency as in high-intensity warfare. These operational capabilities proven all around the world led the CAESAR to become the most ordered modern artillery system. Hence, KNDS has multiplied by three the production rate of the CAESAR to meet the needs of all its customers: today, 6 CAESAR are produced each month. For the first time, KNDS displays the CAESAR MkII: a new 6×6 chassis with a more powerful engine, an enhanced protection and a cab prepared for the SCORPION combat information system (SIC-S).
The state-of-the-art RCH 155 wheeled howitzer and the field-proven PzH 2000 both demonstrate technological leadership in the 155mm gun sector. Currently, Ukrainian Army have signed 54 RCH 155 with KNDS. UK and Germany have recently agreed to co-develop the RCH 155 with KNDS with a potential of 400 artillery systems. KNDS is cooperating with its partners to develop and to deliver SHORAD, and C-UAV.
An expanding club of CAESAR and PzH 2000 users
Ukraine has become the 10th user of the CAESAR. 78 systems are currently under production this year to the entire benefit of the Ukrainian army. More than 600 CAESAR are now in service or under contract:
France recently notified KNDS for an order of 109 CAESAR MkII. Due to the donor of 25 PzH 2000 to Ukrainian Army, KNDS has currently 41 PzH 2000 for new production under contract, 54 more systems are under discussion for Germany and UA.
The KATANA ammunition to heighten the precision of 155mm artillery systems
The conflict in Ukraine has shown the particular need of long-range proven artillery systems for counter-battery and high precision strikes. To ensure a maximum precision, KNDS is developing the KATANA guided ammunition that will allow 10 meters precision strike beyond 40km. KATANA will be offered by the end of 2025. The ammunition is currently undergoing guidance test in jammed environment.
