Croatia has officially signed a contract with French defense manufacturer KNDS to acquire 18 CAESAR 6×6 MkII self-propelled howitzers and 15 Serval armored vehicles. This acquisition, announced on December 9, is part of an initiative aimed at modernizing Croatia’s artillery and mechanized forces. The deal is structured within an EU-financed joint procurement framework, emphasizing Croatia’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
The signing event unfolded in two significant phases. Initially, it took place at the KNDS facility in Satory, where Croatian Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić met with French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin and KNDS CEO Jean-Paul Alary. Subsequently, the contract was reaffirmed at the Élysée Palace in Paris, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
KNDS has confirmed that this transaction is made possible through a coordination mechanism led by France’s Directorate General of Armament (DGA) along with funding from the European Union’s Support to Ammunition and Equipment (SAFE) program. The full regimental package included in the order features state-of-the-art equipment:
– 18 CAESAR MkII 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzers, equipped with the advanced ATLAS fire control system and Thales communications technology.
– 15 Serval 4×4 multi-role armored vehicles capable of diverse operations.
– A comprehensive suite of command, observation, communications, and logistics systems designed to support military operations.
KNDS has described the CAESAR MkII as a new-generation artillery system developed at their Roanne facility. This advanced platform boasts enhanced protection, a more powerful engine, and an upgraded digital architecture, making it suited for high-mobility artillery operations. The design of the CAESAR MkII incorporates insights gained from operational deployments across recent European and Middle Eastern conflicts. This variant is an evolution of the original CAESAR 6×6, which is already in service with several NATO allies, including France and Denmark.
The Serval armored vehicle, part of the SCORPION program, is tailored for reconnaissance, command, and support roles, characterized by its modular design and advanced digital systems. These features enhance its interoperability with NATO units during joint missions.
KNDS emphasized that Croatia’s investment in this defense procurement initiative echoes a broader movement towards cooperative European defense efforts. The company stated that the trust Croatia has placed in this agreement not only fortifies bilateral relations between France and Croatia but also serves to strengthen the European defense industrial base overall.
