2nd edition of the CAESAR Club, NATO’s leading artillery system users’ forum

• The second edition was held in Belgium on November 27–28;
• A valuable opportunity for sharing experiences between the industry and users, it facilitated discussions on system advancements, operational feedback, and doctrines;
• Ukraine and Estonia officially joined the CAESAR Club on November 27 and were represented at this edition.

CAESAR: the reference artillery system for NATO countries

The community of CAESAR howitzer users has expanded with recent orders and Letters of Intent (LOI), especially across Europe. The second edition took place in Belgium, which is set to receive its first CAESAR units in 2027. The Club welcomed two new members, Estonia and Ukraine, joining eight other user nations. Ukraine’s feedback provided key insights into the effectiveness of CAESAR in high-intensity conflict scenarios. Armenia is expected to join soon, along with Portugal, Slovenia, and Croatia, who have signed LOIs.

The system’s compatibility with a wide range of ammunition is a significant battlefield advantage, both logistically and operationally. Its survivability, surpassing that of competing systems, is also emphasized: its high mobility, rapid deployment, and exit capabilities provide strong resilience against loitering munitions and counter-battery fire.

Operational feedback driving CAESAR’s evolution

Operational feedback (RETEX) and discussions on system evolution were the focus of the first edition of the CAESAR Club in November 2023 at Canjuers and the Draguignan Military Schools. Implemented by a triumvirat including the French procurement Agency (DGA), the French Army, and KNDS, the Club aims to create a forum for users to share operational insights and anticipate future system developments.

While CAESAR’s architecture already suits high-intensity combat, it is designed to evolve. Enhancements include improvements in loading, firing capability, ammunition (KATANA, LU220), communication systems, and counter-drone measures. These advancements ensure CAESAR remains adaptable to emerging operational needs. Furthermore, the insights gathered contribute to the evolution of NATO’s artillery doctrine, with CAESAR establishing itself as the reference system.