Lithuania Boosts Defence: Signs Contract for 30 New CAESAR® MkII Artillery Systems
An acquisition contract for 30 CAESAR® MkII artillery systems was signed in Vilnius on December 10, in the presence of Ms. Vitaliia Zumeriené, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Defence, and H.E. Lucie Stepanyan, Ambassador of France to Lithuania. A further step in the modernization of Lithuanian artillery, this contract demonstrates the confidence placed in KNDS and in the CAESAR®, a reference artillery system within NATO.
Lithuania’s choice is fully in line with the desire to strengthen the French-Lithuanian bilateral relationship and European defence cooperation. It will contribute to the protection of NATO’s Eastern flank.
KNDS, a trusted partner in strengthening the Lithuanian Army and defence industry
This new acquisition comes as Lithuania had already chosen the CAESAR® in 2022, with the purchase of 18 units. This new contract will bring the total number of CAESAR® MkII systems in service with the Lithuanian forces to 48.
This new partnership will also support the growth of the local defence industry, as the agreement includes the establishment of an operational readiness maintenance centre in Lithuania. Future operational and industrial partners will thus benefit from the full expertise of KNDS.
The CAESAR® MkII, an evolution of KNDS France’s reference artillery system
Equipped with the same weapon system as the CAESAR® 6×6 MkI—its predecessor, proven in numerous combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and more recently in Ukraine—the CAESAR® 6×6 MkII has already been ordered by France, Belgium, Slovenia, and Croatia, in addition to Lithuania. Furthermore, letters of intent have been signed by Bulgaria and Portugal.
Also air-transportable by A400M, the CAESAR® MkII features improved engine power as well as an armoured cabin offering enhanced protection against mines, IEDs, artillery shell fragments, and especially against remotely operated munitions, a major threat to artillery pieces since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Finally, its digital architecture has been completely redesigned, providing better performance in terms of interoperability, cybersecurity, and integration of different fire control systems.
