Czech Defence Ministry Warns French Firm KNDS Over CAESAR 8×8 Howitzer Performance Problems, If Not Solve Halt Payments

The Czech Ministry of Defence has raised serious concerns over the poor performance of the CAESAR 8×8 self-propelled howitzers, made by French defence company KNDS. The ministry has officially warned the manufacturer that unless these issues are fixed quickly, further payments could be stopped, putting the entire contract at risk.

So far, more than CZK 7 billion (around $315 million) has been paid to KNDS, with another CZK 1 billion (about $45 million) scheduled for later this year. However, due to what Defence Minister Jana Černochová called "serious problems," the total project—worth approximately $450 million—is now under review.

The Chief Armaments Director, Lubor Koudelka, has sent a letter to KNDS demanding immediate action. “If KNDS does not start fulfilling the terms of the contract and does not prepare the howitzers for military tests, the Czech Republic will stop paying advances,” he wrote.

What Are the Performance Problems?

Testing of two CAESAR 8×8 prototypes in Czechia has shown several critical issues:

• The howitzers failed to achieve a 40-kilometre range in Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mode—a key capability expected from modern artillery.

• KNDS has not provided the ballistic data required to integrate the system with Germany’s Adler III fire control system. Without this data, Czech artillery shells cannot be used properly, making the system ineffective.

• As a result, the howitzers do not meet NATO interoperability standards, and may not be fully usable in joint military operations.

One Czech Army source was quoted saying, “Without these data, the howitzers are not interoperable and it is unclear whether they meet NATO standards.”

Growing Pressure on KNDS

The CAESAR 6×6 version, also made by KNDS, has been in use successfully for over 20 years in France and more than 10 other countries. But the newer 8×8 version, built for Danish and Czech requirements, has been facing persistent technical difficulties.

In fact, Denmark cancelled its order for 19 units due to similar delays and complications. Those howitzers were later sent to Ukraine instead.

Czech Defence Minister Černochová said she has already begun talks with her French counterpart about the issues. “My colleagues and I, including Director Koudelka and the military, have warned the manufacturer about these serious problems,” she said.

What Could Happen Next?

If KNDS does not solve the problems soon and deliver working systems, the Czech Ministry of Defence may:

• Stop further payments

• Delay or cancel the contract entirely

• Explore legal and procurement alternatives

With public funds already deeply invested, and the national security stakes high, the Czech government is demanding immediate correction from KNDS to avoid a major defence procurement failure.