“June Unveils the Next Generation of Czech CAESARs at IDET 2025!”

• The 19 CAESAR® 8×8 units that have been functional with the Armed Forces of Ukraine since mid-2023 have discharged over 40,000 rounds.
• KNDS France is instrumental in bolstering the Czech defense industry through numerous partnerships focused on the domestic manufacturing and logistical support of CAESAR® 8×8 and the certification of locally produced 155mm ammunition.
• At IDET, KNDS France will showcase its latest innovations, encompassing Loitering Munitions, Counter-Drone Solutions, and 120mm tank munitions for LEO II.

The first two prototypes for the Czech military are ready

The Czech Ministry of Defence has ordered 62 CAESAR® 8×8 units. The first deliveries are expected by 2026. The preliminary two prototypes are set to participate in military evaluations, which will be carried out by the ACR this Summer. Artillery crews and maintenance personnel have already completed training in France.

Concurrently, the final assembly of the initial CAESAR® 8x8s is scheduled to begin at Excalibur Army in early June. Teams from our collaborators have made multiple visits to KNDS in Roanne for training, ensuring they are prepared to initiate final assembly in the Czech Republic in order to comply with the contractual delivery schedule and fulfill industrial collaboration commitments.

Partnership with essential collaborators

40% of the CAESAR® 8×8 will be produced domestically, strengthening the local industrial framework. Excalibur Army will oversee the final assembly, Retia will provide communication devices and fire control system components, while Tatra Defence Vehicles and Tatra Trucks will supply the cabin and chassis. Engaging with STV is also advancing for the certification of Czech-manufactured 155mm ammunition.

Training, artillery, loitering munitions, and maintenance: innovations driving operational superiority

The Czech Army is poised to acquire the MRCT (Mixed Reality Crew Trainer). This mixed reality tool allows an entire crew to train collaboratively on the CAESAR® system without removing a vehicle from active service.

KNDS France is also debuting the 105LG, the lightest 105mm towed howitzer in the world, designed for rapid reaction forces. Capable of firing 12 rounds per minute (or up to 20 with a 5-person team), it boasts twice the firing rate of its competitors. Its lightweight, resilience, and maneuverability make it optimal for aerial assaults and airborne operations.

Fully aware of current operational challenges, KNDS France is advocating for the ARX 30, a 30mm remotely operated weapon system. In the C-UAV variant, the addition of radar to an already high-performing weapon platform positions it as one of the most advanced solutions addressing emerging aerial threats. The French procurement agency (DGA) has already placed an order for 24 SERVAL LAD vehicles equipped with this same ARX 30 cannon. The ARX 30 exemplifies KNDS France’s expertise in close-quarters counter-drone combat. Designed to engage a variety of target types, its exceptionally high rate of fire and capability to utilize airburst munitions render it indispensable in modern aerial defense.

The MATARIS series of loitering munitions was introduced by KNDS France in February 2025:

• MT-10 (formerly IXOS): T indicates the carrier’s design, 10 signifies its 10 km reach.
• MX-10 (previously MTO-CP): X denotes quadcopter configuration, 10 denotes its 10 km range. Already operational within the French Army.
• MV-25 (formerly OSKAR): V signifies fixed-wing design, 25 indicating its 25 km range.
• MV-100 (previously LARINAE): V indicates fixed-wing design, 100 representing its 100 km reach.

Fewer than two years elapsed between the initiation of its development and operational deployment: the MV-25 drone has been active in Ukraine since January 2025.