Defence ministry signs contract for new Caesar howitzers for CZK 8.5 billion

The Czech Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for the purchase of 52 Caesar self-propelled howitzers from French manufacturer Nexter Systems for CZK 8.52 billion.

They will replace the current DANA howitzers, which do not meet the NATO requirements for range and calibre used by the allies. Most of the howitzers will be assembled in the Czech Republic by the Czechoslovak Group holding.

The final price of the deal is about 40 percent more expensive than was originally expected, due to inflation and an increase in the price of raw materials.