On 14 March 2017 the CAESAR 8×8 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) was chosen to become the new artillery system of the Royal Danish Army (Hæren). Denmark had already signed a contract with Nexter on 22 May 2017, which delivered mid-2020 to the Danish forces. The CAESARs will replace the US-built M109A3 howitzers currently in service with the Royal Danish Army. On October 11, the Danish Ministry of Defence Procurement and Logistics Organisation (DALO) signed a contract with Nexter to acquire 4 additional CAESAR 8×8. The strength of Nexter’s offer lies both in the participation in the program of local players such as HYDREMA, WEIBEL or TEN CATE, and in the exceptional performance of CAESAR 8×8.
The first 15 self-propelled howitzer Denmark ordered from French company Nexter had initially been scheduled for delivery by the summer of 2020. 19 howitzers purchased and installed on modified Tatra T-815 8×8 trucks. Nexter is now expected to complete the delivery of the first batch by the spring of 2021. Only two systems were delivered to the Danish Artillery Regiment before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic brought the production lines at Nexter and its subcontractors to a halt. Denmark ordered another four Caesar 8x8s in late 2019, these systems remain on track for delivery in 2023. Nexter’s artillery system thus perfectly meets Danish requirements for firepower, crew protection and high mobility.
The use of the 8×8 chassis will enable the Danish CAESARs to carry a heavier payload than the 6×6 versions that are currently in service. Highly modular, the CAESAR 8×8 can carry up to 36 complete ammunition as well as a wide range of equipment according to operational needs (secondary weapons, electronic countermeasures, smoke, etc.). Its shielding offers a high level of ballistic and anti-mine protection (level 2A and 2B STANAG 4569) and anti-IED protection. The Danish CAESARs use the atra T-815 8×8 chassis configured with a Tatra eight-cylinder direct air-cooled engine coupled with a Tatra-Norgren semi-automatic transmission offering a full-time 8×8 capability.
The CAESAR 8×8 self-propelled artillery system is equipped with the 155mm artillery gun, which is combat proven in French armed forces on CAESAR 6×6. It has an automatic shell reloading system, whose speed can be configured according to the user’s operating modes (semi-automatic to automatic). Its 155mm caliber gun can fire rounds at a rate of 6 per minute to ranges of over 40 and over 50 kilometers, depending on whether it is an Extended Range, Full Bore (ERFB) shell, and more than 50 km using rocket assisted shells. the 12.3-meter CAESAR 8×8 system is air transportable and fits into A400, IL76 or C17 military transport aircraft.
