Czech army to receive enhanced howitzers inspired by Ukraine
The Czech army will soon receive CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, developed with insights from the Ukrainian battlefield. These adjustments will be made at the last minute by the manufacturer because the order was placed back in 2021.
The Czech army is gearing up to receive the first batch of these state-of-the-art howitzers, which will replace the outdated DANA models currently in service. The DANA howitzers will remain operational in the Czech army only until 2027.
Modern CAESAR howitzers
The French manufacturer, KNDS, has made several modifications to the CAESAR (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) self-propelled howitzers for the Czech military based on experiences from Ukraine.
"It will be a unique product whose appearance and capabilities reflect lessons learned from the Ukrainian battlefield," stated the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Two prototypes of the updated howitzers, part of an order for 62 units, are undergoing inspection tests. These tests are conducted by the French manufacturer with input from independent national bodies, while the entire process is overseen by the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Utilizing experience from Ukraine
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAESAR howitzers in September 2021, and in December 2022, they added 10 more units to the order. The total contract is valued at 10.3 billion Czech korunas, or nearly $451 million. All howitzers are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.
"Ukraine serves as a unique testing ground for us, something we've never had before. We're designing equipment intended to last the next four decades, aiming for maximum durability and functionality. Ignoring the insights from Ukrainian artillerymen would mean spending 10.3 billion korunas needlessly," explained Czech military officials.
The Czech Republic chose a more advanced version of the howitzer, mounted on an 8×8 chassis manufactured by the Czech company Tatra. The CAESAR is equipped with a 155 mm caliber gun, which is the standard for modern NATO artillery.
