Morocco switches to Israeli artillery amid French hardware issues
According to the portal La Tribune, Morocco has decided to purchase 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery guns instead of additional Caesar howitzers from France. The decision was reportedly driven by dissatisfaction with the problematic French systems, which Ukrainians view quite differently.
Morocco received its first Caesar howitzers in 2022 and quickly started publicizing that they were not performing as expected. La Tribune recalls that Moroccans complained about recurring technical issues with the artillery systems acquired from France, which were sometimes so severe that the equipment was deemed unfit for service. Although KNDS France was supposed to address reports from the African country, not everything could be swiftly resolved, and some of the Caesars purchased by Morocco are said to remain inoperative to this day.
Morocco no longer wants French artillery
Despite this, a contract for additional Caesar howitzers for Morocco seemed very likely. According to La Tribune, financial issues might ultimately have led to opting for a competitor's solution. KNDS France did not present a "commercial gesture," which was cleverly capitalized on by Atmos 2000's manufacturer, Elbit Systems from Israel.
With the purchase of Atmos 2000, the Moroccan army, which already uses artillery from the United States and France (not only Caesar, but also Mk F3), will become even more diverse. The new weapon will necessitate additional training for artillery operators.
Caesar systems use a 155 mm caliber gun with a barrel length of 52 calibers, which gives them high range. The firing range varies depending on the type of ammunition, ranging from about 25 miles to even 34 miles, though it can be increased to up to 50 miles when using new sub-caliber Vulcano GLR shells.
In Ukraine, Caesar howitzers perform very well
French artillery is performing well in Ukraine, with local soldiers praising its range, accuracy, and suitable mobility. The French offer two variants - a base model on a Renault 6x6 chassis and a larger one using a Tatra 8x8 chassis, which also features an armored cabin. Morocco opted for the former.
Representatives of Elbit Systems assert that the Atmos 2000 surpasses the French howitzers (especially in the base variant) in several aspects, such as mobility, automation, and striking power. Israelis use a Tatra chassis and a 155 mm gun in this case, which provides a range of about 25 miles.
