On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the second day of the 29th edition of Eurosatory 2026, the international defense industry exhibition organized by Coges Events and taking place on June 15–19 this year at Paris-Nord Villepinte near Paris, France’s KNDS France, part of the German-French joint venture KNDS, announced that Malaysia will become the 15th user of CAESAR (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) 155-mm self-propelled howitzers. A total of 800 howitzers have already been ordered or delivered worldwide.
Photos: KNDS France
Malaysia’s Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 18 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers in an undisclosed version, either Mk1 or Mk2. For this reason, representatives of KNDS France and its local industrial partner, Advanced Defense System (ADS Sdn Bhd), signed an agreement to license the transfer of technology and assembly of the artillery systems in Malaysia. The guns were offered to Malaysia on May 6, 2024, during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, with local production in Segamat, Johor, on the Malay Peninsula.
KNDS’ presence in Malaysia is part of a long-term partnership with the country’s authorities. This cooperation had already reached a milestone in 2018, when a strategic partnership was signed covering the delivery and local assembly of 105-mm 105LG MkIII light towed howitzers. This flagship program illustrates KNDS’ ability to support partners in developing sovereign capabilities and implementing long-term industrial projects. Thanks to its high mobility and ability to reposition quickly, the 105LG gun provides discretion and survivability even in the most complex operational environments and contexts, demonstrating KNDS’ experience in artillery systems.
The current Malaysian order for 18 CAESAR howitzers, intended to rearm one tube artillery regiment, will directly contribute to strengthening the armed forces’ capabilities. Through a knowledge-transfer program and advanced industrial localization with ADS Sdn Bhd, the contract also aligns with Malaysia’s National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP), which aims to develop an autonomous, sustainable and resilient defense industry.
“We are particularly proud to support the Malaysian Army through the delivery of world-class artillery systems that meet the highest operational standards. This new milestone in KNDS’s history in Malaysia reflects our determination to support our partners over the long term in developing their defence capabilities and to meet their expectations in terms of industrial localization,” said Nicolas Groult, Chief Executive Officer of KNDS France.
CAESAR howitzers are currently produced in their second generation, which has been exported to Belgium (28 units), Croatia (18 units) and Lithuania (48 units), while Slovenia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Iraq, Finland, the Philippines and Portugal have expressed interest. In previous years, Estonia, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia decided to acquire the first-generation system, while Denmark transferred its guns to Ukraine, which is also receiving CAESAR howitzers as part of international military assistance, led by France. Deliveries of the first of 36 first-generation guns to Armenia have recently begun.
The CAESAR 6×6 Mark II will be equipped with the same 52-caliber main armament. The upgrade will cover areas related to crew protection and system mobility. To this end, French company Arquus, previously known as Renault Trucks Defense and Renault Trucks Véhicules, will design a new 6×6 driveline chassis, while Nexter Systems will develop a new armored cab with STANAG 4569A Level 2 ballistic protection and additional mine protection (Arquus Armis 6×6 debut).
The system is to be powered by a new 460-hp diesel engine, compared with 215 hp in the baseline Renault Sherpa 5 6×6 chassis, coupled to a new automatic transmission. In addition, the CAESAR 6×6 Mark II will receive the latest version of the fire control system software, CONTACT radios from the SCORPION program (Synergie du COntact Renforcée par la Polyvalence et l’InfovalorisatiON) and the Thales IED BARAGE jamming system to protect against remotely detonated improvised explosive devices (Nexter CAESAR second-generation gun-howitzer).
#Eurosatory2026 : la Malaisie rejoint la famille #CAESAR — 15ème pays client, 18 systèmes commandés.
→ Plus d’infos : https://t.co/rDAVZvwk1t— KNDS France (@KNDS_France) June 16, 2026