The Croatian government has finalized an agreement to acquire 18 Caesar MkII self-propelled howitzers from France.
The deal for the 18 Caesar 155mm artillery systems — along with related equipment and additional capabilities — is valued at approximately 328 million euros ($382 million), with deliveries expected in 2030.
The Caesar MkII offers strengthened crew protection, enhanced mobility, and upgraded communications compared to earlier models.
Croatia has also purchased 15 Serval armored vehicles, and both countries have signed a letter of intent to upgrade Croatia’s 12 Rafale F3-R fighter jets to the latest F4 configuration.
Zagreb acquired the used Rafales in 2021 for 999 million euros ($1.16 billion) to replace its aging MiG-21 fleet.
The acquisitions were previously endorsed by Croatia’s parliamentary defense committee, which also backed plans to procure Leopard 2A8 tanks, an anti-drone system, and Tatra military transport vehicles.
These procurements form part of a broader 1.9-billion-euro ($2.21-billion) modernization initiative aimed at strengthening the Croatian Army, supporting the domestic defense industry, and improving NATO interoperability.
Funding for the Caesar purchase will partly come through the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, which provides loans with 1-percent interest rates and repayment terms of up to 40 years.
