Malaysia has ordered 18 CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems from French-German defense group KNDS, becoming the 15th country to acquire the wheeled howitzer.
The agreement was formalized during the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition in Paris by representatives of KNDS and Malaysian defense company Advanced Defense System.
Under the contract, the systems will be assembled in Malaysia through a technology-transfer arrangement intended to support local industrial participation.
Mounted on a wheeled chassis, the CAESAR is designed to combine long-range firepower with strategic mobility. KNDS states that the system can fire six rounds in less than one minute at ranges of up to 40 kilometers and move from a firing position within minutes to reduce vulnerability to counter-battery fire.
The acquisition is part of Kuala Lumpur’s ongoing efforts to modernize its artillery capabilities and expand domestic defense manufacturing capacity.
KNDS said the program also aligns with Malaysia’s National Defence Policy, which seeks to strengthen the country’s domestic defense manufacturing and support capabilities.
Local Industrial Participation
The deal builds on an existing relationship between KNDS and Malaysia’s defense sector.
In 2018, the country signed a partnership agreement with the company covering the supply and local assembly of 105LG lightweight towed artillery guns.
“We are particularly proud to support the Malaysian Army through the delivery of world-class artillery systems that meet the highest operational standards,” said Nicolas Groult, Chief Executive Officer of KNDS France.
“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 localization.”
The order comes as several countries in Southeast Asia continue to invest in long-range precision fires and artillery modernization programs amid evolving regional security requirements.
- The Defense Post