2023 ended very successfully for Nexter Systems. Two important contracts signed by the Ministry of Armed Forces have significantly increased the order book of the subsidiary of the Franco-German group KNDS. On behalf of the Army, the General Directorate of Armament (DGA) ordered on 30 December 109 new-generation Caesar cannons (trucks equipped with an artillery system) (Mk II), representing a sum of about 350 million euros, and 420 serval armored vehicles. For an amount of about 500 million euros. is a joint program between Serval Nexter and Limoges SME Taxelis, consolidated within Serval Temporary Group of Companies (GME).
First delivery of Caesar Ng in 2026
According to the ministry, the new generation of Caesar, a 155 mm self-propelled wheel gun with a range of 40 km, will bring improvements to the existing system regarding its mobility, connectivity, ballistic protection and the effectiveness of its shots. Thus, the Caesar Mk II will have a cabin with improved armor to ensure its crew better protection against improvised explosive devices, mines, small caliber munitions and artillery pieces. “Consistent with France’s pursuit of leadership in terms of war economy and in terms of artillery systems, this order will make it possible to equip French ground forces with better fire support capabilities. Long mobile range »Hôtel de Brienne explained.
The new generation of Caesar will retain the artillery system as well as the air transportability of the current version. Shot accuracy will also be improved by the presence on board of the latest generation of fire control software. Furthermore, it will be compatible with and capable of existing ammunition
To use future precision weapons. Finally, its cabin will be able to accommodate common vetronics (vehicle on-board electronics) in interconnected Scorpion program equipment.
The production of this version was started in late 2021. The first deliveries are expected by 2026 and, theoretically, the 33rd Caesar will be delivered in 2027. , working with industrial prime contractors for the program, notably Arquus (chassis) and Safran Electronics & Defense (electronic equipment). After the development phase, the production order will generate around 300 jobs distributed mainly at the sites of KNDS (Roane, Borges and Toulouse), Arques (Limoges), Safran (Montlucon and Massey), Aubert and Duval. According to the ministry.
784 servals have already been ordered
This new order from Serval follows 364 examples already ordered by DGA in late 2020. It makes it possible to provide new capabilities, especially the so-called electronic warfare version, which is added to the armored patrol vehicle version, surveillance. Acquisition of objectives, intelligence and strategic communications node. Along with the Griffon and the Jaguar, the Serval, the third armored vehicle developed as part of the Scorpion weapons program, further strengthens our Army’s ability to conduct high-intensity operations. The Serval will gradually replace the Armored Front Vehicle (VAB), which entered service more than forty years ago.
In total, by 2030, 978 Servals will be delivered to the Army; 60 have been done
in 2022 and 129 were delivered in 2023. These armored vehicles, like the Griffon and Jaguar, are manufactured at the Nexter production plant in Roane. The ministry said that the opening of this new production line has enabled the creation of more than 1,000 jobs. Other industrial sites benefit from this order: Taxelis (Limoges), Saffron Electronics & Defense (Montlucon), Saint-Gobain Sully (Sully-sur-Loire), IRTS (Toulon), Michelin (Clermont-Ferrand) or Constellium (Essoire). .
