CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer
WesternCamion Équipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie (CAESAR)
CAESAR (Truck-Mounted Artillery System) is a French 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer mounted on a 6×6 wheeled truck. France supplied Ukraine with 18 CAESAR systems in May 2022, making it one of the first Western self-propelled artillery systems delivered. CAESAR's key advantage is its ability to fire and relocate rapidly — the entire shoot-and-scoot cycle takes under 2 minutes.
Primary Role
Long-range fire support, counter-battery, deep fires
First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-06
Specifications
| Caliber | 155 mm / 52 caliber |
| Range (standard) | 40 km |
| Range (Bonus/Excalibur) | Up to 55 km |
| Rate of fire | 6 rpm max |
| Weight | ~18,000 kg (6×6 version) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Country | France |
✓ Strengths
- •Wheeled chassis — can move on roads at highway speed
- •Very fast shoot-and-scoot: under 2 minutes
- •Excellent range: 40 km standard, 55 km with specialized munitions
- •Automatic rammer reduces crew fatigue
⚠ Limitations
- •Less protection than tracked systems (open crew cab)
- •Limited cross-country mobility vs tracked SPGs
- •France donated from its own limited inventory
Notable Use
CAESAR systems were among the first wheeled self-propelled artillery pieces delivered to Ukraine. Their 40 km range and mobility gave Ukrainian artillery significant advantages in the Donbas fighting. France has ordered additional CAESAR systems from Nexter to replenish its own stocks donated to Ukraine.
Ukraine War Context
France's 18 initial CAESAR deliveries were later supplemented by Denmark (donations from its own CAESAR fleet) and other partners. CAESAR has proven effective in the long-range counter-battery role against Russian artillery in Donbas, including outranging many Russian self-propelled guns.