On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence announced that it had signed a contract worth approximately 252 million EUR with the French company KNDS France for the delivery of an additional batch of 155 mm CAESAR 6×6 Mk II (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) self-propelled howitzers. The quantity ordered was not disclosed, but it was emphasized that this is Lithuania’s largest contract with France, and the systems will join the 18 guns of the same type ordered on December 16, 2022.
Photos: the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence
“Choosing the CAESAR Mk II systems is an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s defense and a clear signal of deepening cooperation with France. These modern systems will provide the Lithuanian Armed Forces with greater mobility and firepower, while closer partnership with the French defense sector will reinforce our ties with a key ally,” said Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas.
Under the agreement, Lithuania will receive not only the artillery systems themselves, but also a full package of logistical and integration solutions: training, simulators, and spare parts. Alongside the purchase, an industrial cooperation agreement was signed, under which KNDS France will invest 12 million EUR in the construction and outfitting of repair workshops in Lithuania. With the acquisition of this second batch of CAESAR Mk II systems, Lithuania will become the country with the second-largest number of these systems after France (which has ordered 109 units).
The project is part of the investment plan under the European SAFE (Security Action for Europe) loan program. Starting in 2027, 155 mm ammunition produced in Lithuania will be fully compatible with the newly acquired guns, this refers to the Lithuanian Ammunition Excellence Center of the German-Lithuanian joint venture Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva, whose construction began on November 4 of this year in the town of Baisogala in Šiauliai County, Radviliškis District, 31 km north of Kėdainiai.
Compared to the first generation, the CAESAR 6×6 Mark II will be equipped with the same 52-caliber main gun. The modernization focuses on crew protection and system mobility. To this end, the French company Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense and Renault Trucks Voie) will design a new 6×6 chassis, while Nexter Systems will provide a new armored cabin with STANAG 4569A Level 2 ballistic protection and additional mine protection.
Photo: KNDS France
In addition to the countries already mentioned, Belgium (28 units) and Croatia (18 units) have also decided to purchase the systems, while Slovenia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Iraq, Finland, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Portugal have expressed interest. The first-generation CAESAR has been procured by Estonia, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Denmark relinquished its guns to Ukraine, which continues to receive them as part of international military assistance led by France.
Within the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ artillery capabilities, the CAESAR 6×6 Mark II systems will complement the 21 tracked 155 mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) howitzers acquired from Germany in the previous decade as used but refurbished equipment, as well as the eight M142 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, whose deliveries should begin soon.
🇱🇹 keeps strengthening its defence: we have signed a €252M deal to acquire a second batch of CAESAR Mk II howitzers from KNDS France.
✍️ The purchase includes €12M in industrial cooperation.
📈 With this, Lithuania becomes the 2nd largest user of CAESAR Mk II after 🇫🇷. pic.twitter.com/glmD9mh08z
— Lithuanian MOD 🇱🇹 (@Lithuanian_MoD) December 10, 2025
UPDATE
According to information provided by KNDS France, Lithuania has ordered 30 additional howitzers, bringing the total number to 48 units. Deliveries will begin in 2027, and the complete battery is expected to reach operational readiness by 2030.
🇱🇹 La Lituanie commande 30 #CAESAR® MkII supplémentaires.
➡️ Total : 48 systèmes — 2ᵉ utilisateur mondial après la France du MkII
➡️ 1 division complète d’ici 2030
➡️ Livraisons dès 2027Cette décision confirme la confiance accordée à KNDS, le statut du CAESAR® comme référence… pic.twitter.com/vU0exR3c6H
— KNDS France (@KNDS_France) December 10, 2025
See also:
- Lithuania Receives Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 Grenade Launchers
- Lithuania signs third contract for MSHORAD systems
- Lithuania Receives Its First Two UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters
- Lithuania is negotiating the possibility of assembling CV90 infantry fighting vehicles domestically
- Lithuania Takes Out a Loan to Purchase Leopard 2A8 Tanks