Indonesia to acquire more French KNDS CAESAR howitzers with local production in partnership.

According to information published by KNDS France on June 12, 2025, Indonesia has signed a new Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire additional CAESAR 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers, reinforcing its position as the leading CAESAR user in Asia and the third-largest operator globally. The LOI includes not only the procurement of artillery systems and 155mm ammunition but also a strengthened framework for industrial cooperation, with provisions for local production, assembly, and maintenance in Indonesia. This development occurred on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Jakarta, underscoring the strategic weight of the bilateral defense partnership.
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Indonesian Army CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer conducts live firing exercise showcasing precision strike capability and rapid deployment during artillery training maneuvers. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

Indonesia first ordered 36 CAESAR 6x6 MkI 6x6 self-propelled howitzers in 2012 through a contract between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Nexter Systems, now part of KNDS. These systems were integrated into the Indonesian Army’s artillery battalions and deployed across key strategic areas to boost mobility and precision fire capabilities. In 2017, Indonesia placed a second order for 18 more systems, bringing the total fleet to 56 units. The deliveries were completed with full integration into three artillery battalions (Yonarmed) of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD). This made Indonesia one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific to field such an advanced wheeled artillery solution.

The CAESAR (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) is a next-generation 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer designed to offer superior tactical mobility, rapid deployment, and high-precision fire support. Mounted on a 6x6 or 8x8 wheeled chassis, the system can be airlifted by C-130 or A400M aircraft, enhancing strategic flexibility. The CAESAR can fire a full range of NATO-standard 155mm ammunition, including high-explosive, smoke, illumination, and precision-guided rounds such as BONUS and SPACIDO. It has a maximum firing range of 40 km with extended-range base bleed shells, and even further with rocket-assisted projectiles.

One of the key features of the CAESAR system is its ability to deploy, fire six rounds, and relocate within less than three minutes, reducing vulnerability to counter-battery fire. It integrates a fully computerized fire control system, inertial navigation, and automatic aiming. Its mobility on rugged terrain and road networks enables fast redeployment without the need for heavy logistic support, making it an ideal system for expeditionary forces and rapid-response units.

The new LOI represents not only a further expansion of Indonesia’s CAESAR fleet but also a significant leap in defense industrial cooperation. KNDS France has committed to transferring know-how, providing training, and assisting in the establishment of a local assembly and maintenance facility. This industrial partnership will ensure that a majority of the life-cycle support for the CAESAR systems—such as maintenance, repair, and potentially even ammunition handling—can be managed locally. This approach aligns with Indonesia’s broader objective to increase its defense self-sufficiency and technical autonomy.

Under the Indonesian-French Defence Cooperation Agreement, this partnership model will allow Indonesia to retain sovereign control over its artillery systems while simultaneously boosting its domestic defense industry’s capabilities. The strategic impact of this move is substantial, as it offers the Indonesian Armed Forces enhanced readiness while giving the country a stronger voice in shaping its defense ecosystem.

KNDS’s commitment to local content, technology transfer, and sustainable cooperation is part of a broader export strategy increasingly favored by Asian customers seeking capability with long-term industrial returns. The CAESAR’s howitzer continued success in Indonesia and around the world is a testament to the system’s reliability, combat-proven performance, and adaptability to diverse operational environments.