MALAYSIA has selected KNDS’ 155mm CAESAR self-propelled howitzer (SPH) in an announcement made at the ongoing Eurosatory exhibiton in Paris. With the CAESAR’s selection, Malaysia becomes the 15th customer of the platform and concludes a three-decade search.
According to KNDS, Malaysia will procure 18 units of the CAESAR, with a company press release stating, “On the occasion of the Eurosatory 2026 international defence and security exhibition, KNDS announces the acquisition of 18 CAESAR artillery systems by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, marking a major milestone in its commitment alongside the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
KNDS and its Malaysian industrial partner Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) formalised the order for 18 units of the CAESAR, a deal which includes the grant of a licence for technology transfer and assembly of the platforms in Malaysia.
The statement continued, adding that “This landmark acquisition demonstrates the confidence of the MAF in KNDS’ expertise and in the ability of its partner ADS to locally integrate and maintain the CAESAR system.”
Malaysia’s order of 18 CAESAR systems in a regimental configuration directly contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the MAF. Through a programme of know-how transfer and advanced industrial localisation with ADS, this contract also aligns with the Malaysian National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP), which aims to develop an autonomous, sustainable and resilient national defence industry.
This self-propelled system offers unrivaled mobility, rate of fire and accuracy in its category. It can fire six rounds in less than one minute at a range of 40km and relocate in less than two and a half minutes, providing a major strategic advantage.
KNDS, a trusted partner of the Malaysian Army and defence industry
KNDS’ presence in Malaysia is part of a long-term partnership with the country’s authorities. This cooperation had already reached a major milestone in 2018 with the signing of a strategic partnership covering the supply and local assembly of 105LG lightweight towed artillery guns. This flagship programme illustrates KNDS’s ability to support its partners in developing sovereign capabilities and implementing long-term industrial projects. Thanks to its high mobility and ability to rapidly reposition, the 105LG gun ensures discretion and survivability even in the most complex operational environments and contexts, demonstrating KNDS’ expertise in artillery systems.
KNDS France CEO Nicolas Groult said, “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 localisation”.
KNDS has long been a frontrunner for the programme which has offered its combat-proven CAESARs to Malaysia since the 1990s when the programme was first outlined. Since then, KNDS has received orders for over 720 CAESARs from 14 countries, with an estimated 120 or so of the CAESARs excelling on the battlefields of Ukraine.
Currently, the CAESAR is available on 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled trucks with development of the new Mk II 6×6 with upgraded ballistic protection and performance close to completion. According to the company, the CAESAR is the only truck-mounted cannon in Ukraine aside from a locally-developed SPH, allowing the company a significant opportunity to improve the platform based on Ukrainian feedback.
In Asia, only Thailand and Indonesia operate the CAESAR. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) operates 6 units of 6×6 CAESARs while Indonesia operates 56 CAESARs across three battalions, the third largest operator globally and was the first customer in Asia.
