Indonesia Expands Procurement of CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzers, Initiates Local Production
The Indonesian government recently signed a contract with the German-French joint technology group KNDS to procure an additional batch of CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. This move aims to enhance the modernization of its armed forces and ground combat capabilities, while also initiating local production to boost national defense autonomy.
According to a report from the military website Army Recognition, the signing of this procurement deal coincided with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Jakarta. The Indonesian government signed a new Letter of Intent (LOI) with KNDS to expand procurement of the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer system and 155mm howitzers. Concurrently, the framework for industrial cooperation between the two parties will be strengthened, including local production, assembly, and maintenance operations in Indonesia to aid in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.
Previous reports indicate that in 2012, Indonesia first ordered 36 units of the CAESAR Mk1 self-propelled howitzers from the French Nexter company, now part of the KNDS group. These units were delivered for use by the army's artillery battalions and were deployed in key strategic locations within the country to increase troop mobility and precision strike capabilities. In 2017, Indonesia added an additional 18 units, bringing the total to 56 units, making it one of the few countries in the Indo-Pacific region to deploy this advanced wheeled artillery.
The CAESAR Mk1 can be mounted on a 6X6 or 8X8 articulated truck chassis and is equipped with a 155mm towed howitzer, capable of firing 52-caliber projectiles with a range of up to 42 kilometers with standard shells; using rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP), the range can extend to 55 kilometers. The system can be airlifted by transport aircraft such as the C-130 or A400M, providing high mobility and deployment flexibility. Currently, besides France and Indonesia, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine are also utilizing this self-propelled howitzer.
