Leonardo DRS and KNDS have signed a strategic teaming agreement to jointly offer the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer system to the U.S. Army. The collaboration aims to provide a long-range, highly mobile artillery solution in response to the service’s demand for improved firepower and maneuverability.
Under the agreement, Leonardo DRS will serve as the prime contractor, leveraging its expertise in platform integration, while KNDS will contribute its experience in mobile artillery and ammunition development. The two companies plan to adapt the combat-proven CAESAR system for the U.S. defense market.
Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Land Systems, said the partnership combines established capabilities:
“The ability for soldiers to rapidly and reliably put artillery on target is a crucial mission the U.S. Army is addressing, and we are proud to use our deep experience in integrating best-of-breed capabilities to support this future mission. By teaming with KNDS, we are offering the service a mature, accurate, and high-performing solution.”
The CAESAR system is designed to provide long-range precision fire and rapid deployment across varied terrain. Its 52-caliber gun delivers sustained fire support and can be positioned quickly to respond to emerging battlefield requirements.
Olivier Travert, chief sales officer of KNDS France, emphasized the system’s operational record:
“KNDS is proud to team with Leonardo DRS to offer the U.S. Army an affordable solution based on a robust, accurate, and combat-proven artillery system. CAESAR’s 52-caliber ordnance has demonstrated reliability in combat, across all climates, after firing hundreds of thousands of rounds. The lessons learned in three years of combat in Ukraine—where 120 CAESAR systems are now deployed—give us an outstanding position to offer the U.S. Army a state-of-the-art weapon that can be integrated on a U.S. tactical truck.”
The partnership reflects Leonardo DRS’s broader strategy of delivering integrated, mission-critical systems for the U.S. military and allied forces, spanning force protection, networking, and power systems. For KNDS, the initiative expands its footprint in the North American defense market while reinforcing European-U.S. industrial cooperation.