On 16 June, KNDS announced on the sidelines of Eurosatory 2026 that Malaysia would acquire 18 CAESAR 155mm 6×6 artillery systems. Representatives of KNDS and its local industrial partner Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) formalised the order with KNDS at Eurosatory the same day.
KNDS stated in a press release that the contract includes the granting of a license that provides technology transfer and the local assembly of Malaysian Army CAESARs by ADS.
These are Malaysia’s first self-propelled artillery systems, and the CAESARs with their 155mm L/52 guns are expected to be assigned to a new regiment yet to be established to operate the system.
Nicolas Groult, CEO of KNDS France, remarked, “We’re 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.”
This decision in favour of the CAESAR from KNDS ended an ongoing state of uncertainty over the Malaysian Army’s self-propelled howitzer (SPH) requirements.
These had been festering since the 2019 decision by the former Mahathir Mohamad administration to cancel an acquisition of 29 M109A5 155mm SPHs by the previous government. These M109A5s were to be procured from the USA as excess defence articles.
However, Mahathir’s administration was ousted the following year, and so the 155mm SPH requirement was in limbo as Malaysia grappled with the impact of COVID-19.
The programme re-emerged in 2022, though it was then mired in allegations of corruption over a direct, negotiated purchase.
Next, in January 2023 the new coalition government of Anwar Ibrahim cancelled the acquisition, leading to another three years of uncertainty with various 155mm truck-mounted systems being said to be the leading contender for the requirement.
During the DSA 2026 exhibition, industrial sources told Asian Military Review that the decision to procure CAESAR had already been made, and that it was just waiting for formal authorisation.
Unlike the ex-US M109A5s, which could be cancelled without any financial penalty given that they were a free transfer, a future Malaysian government is unlikely to cancel CAESAR owing to fiscal penalties that would be applied for cancellation.
ADS previously helped supply 18 LG1 Mk III 105mm towed howitzers (now called the 105 LG1 by KNDS) to the Malaysian Army under a 2018 contract, which included local assembly of guns. These are now in service with the 1st Royal Artillery Regiment, which is part of the 10th Parachute Brigade.
The 105 LG1 is also being offered by ADS in an ongoing tender for 36 105mm howitzers for the Malaysian Army. A formal decision on the winner is expected to be made at the end of this year, with MKE being the other competitor with its Boran.
by Dzirhan Mahadzir
