Czech Ministry of Defence raises concerns over Caesar howitzer deal
The Czech Ministry of Defence has raised serious concerns about the ongoing contract for 62 French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers, warning that key technical requirements set by the Czech Army may not be met. The ministry confirmed in an official statement that, in an extreme case, it could cancel the 10.3 billion CZK ($455 million) deal with French defense manufacturer KNDS France (formerly Nexter Systems).
Contract History and Concerns
The original contract, signed in 2021, secured 52 Caesar 155mm howitzers for the Czech Armed Forces. An amendment was signed a year later to procure 10 additional units. To date, the Czech Republic has paid 7.2 billion CZK in advance payments.
However, recent analyses by the Czech Army have identified risks that some of the military’s core requirements may not be fulfilled—specifically, extended firing range, improved fire effectiveness, and full compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition.
“If these risks are not resolved, the Ministry may ultimately withdraw from the contract,” said Lubor Koudelka, Chief Director of the Armament and Acquisition Division. “Nevertheless, we still believe the preferred solution is to fulfill the contract.”
Political Fallout and Finger-Pointing
Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS) briefed the government on the situation and publicly criticized her predecessors from the ANO party for the way the contract was initially handled. According to Černochová, then-Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar selected the Caesar system without a competitive tender shortly before the 2021 elections, citing a lack of funds for alternatives.
"The army was supposed to start receiving deliveries next year, but that now appears to be in serious jeopardy," Černochová said. On social media, she called the decision a financial compromise rather than a strategic choice.
In response, Metnar defended the decision and accused Černochová of political posturing ahead of upcoming elections. “She expressed no doubts when signing the addendum for 10 more howitzers,” he said. “The current delivery issues should be addressed actively by the ministry—they were unpredictable at the time of signing.”
Industrial and Strategic Ramifications
The Ministry of Defence emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure the contract is fulfilled. However, it acknowledged that technical risks could delay the project or even lead to its cancellation. Such an outcome would have ripple effects on related defense projects.
Notably, the project is tied to two major follow-on contracts:
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A framework agreement worth up to 12 billion CZK for the production and supply of 155mm ammunition by STV Group.
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The integration of an automated fire-control system valued at nearly 1 billion CZK.
Koudelka noted that the delivery timeline has already been pushed from December 2026 to August 2027 due to expanded order volume and additional safety and performance modifications. The first deliveries are now expected in April 2026.
Potential Blow to Domestic Defense Industry
A significant portion of the howitzers was to be assembled in the Czech Republic by the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which provides Tatra chassis and armored cabins. Any disruption could negatively impact the domestic defense sector.
The total project cost is about 40% higher than initially estimated due to inflation and rising raw material prices. The Caesar howitzers are intended to replace outdated DANA artillery systems, which fall short of NATO standards in terms of range and caliber.
What's Next?
In response to the army's reservations, Koudelka has reached out to senior officials at KNDS France and the French Directorate General of Armaments. The Czech Ministry of Defence insists it will exert maximum effort at all levels to ensure that the supplier delivers on its contractual obligations.
Still, the future of the Caesar howitzer program remains uncertain—caught between technical setbacks, political tension, and strategic dependencies.
