The Croatian government has finalized an agreement to acquire 18 Caesar MkII self-propelled howitzers from France, marking a significant step in the modernization of its military capabilities. The contract, valued at approximately 328 million euros (around $382 million), encompasses the purchase of the 155mm artillery systems along with associated equipment and supplementary capabilities. Deliveries of these howitzers are expected to begin in 2030.
The Caesar MkII models offer notable enhancements over their predecessors, including better crew protection, improved mobility, and upgraded communication systems, making them a vital addition to Croatia’s defense arsenal. The formal signing of the agreement took place in Paris, with Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin representing their respective nations.
In addition to the howitzers, Croatia has also secured a deal for 15 Serval armored vehicles. The two parties have entered into a letter of intent to upgrade Croatia’s existing fleet of 12 Rafale F3-R fighter jets to the latest F4 standard. Zagreb’s previous acquisition of these used Rafale jets in 2021 for 999 million euros ($1.16 billion) was aimed at replacing its outdated MiG-21 aircraft.
This procurement is part of a broader initiative to modernize the Croatian Army, which has received support from the country’s parliamentary defense committee. Plans include acquiring Leopard 2A8 tanks, an anti-drone system, and Tatra military trucks, contributing to a comprehensive 1.9-billion-euro ($2.21 billion) modernization program.
The funding for the Caesar howitzer purchase will be partially sourced from the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, which provides favorable loan conditions, including a 1-percent interest rate and extensive repayment periods of up to 40 years.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his satisfaction with the swift progress in defense cooperation, highlighting the importance of the loan funding from the European Union’s SAFE instrument. This financial arrangement involves a total of 1.7 billion euros, part of which is intended to bolster the capabilities of the Croatian Army through the acquisition of the new artillery systems.
