Morocco chooses Israeli artillery over the French Caesar
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According to the French newspaper La Tribune, the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems has secured a contract to deliver 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery units to Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR). This marks a significant shift, as the FAR had previously relied on the Caesar system from France's KNDS.
The decision to opt for the Atmos 2000, which is mounted on a Czech Tatra truck, follows a period of strained relations between the FAR and KNDS France. Despite a diplomatic thaw between Rabat and Paris in late 2024 and an initial order for Caesars in 2020, the Moroccans reported issues with the delivered cannons in 2022. The French company's slow response to these malfunctions left some units still out of service, fueling Moroccan dissatisfaction.
Elbit Systems emerged as a viable alternative, particularly as Rabat anticipated a conciliatory gesture from KNDS France that never materialized. This oversight also affects Arquus, a French firm that had hoped to supply additional vehicles to the FAR.
The Atmos system is mounted on a 6×6 or 8×8 truck chassis and features an armored cabin that accommodates 2 to 6 crew members, including essential personnel such as a driver, commander, and gunners. It boasts impressive firepower, with a range exceeding 40 km using ERFB-BB shells.
Designed for quick deployment on challenging terrains, it includes a «shoot-and-scoot» capability, facilitated by an integrated electronic suite and an automatic loading system that minimizes crew effort. The system is compatible with all 155 mm NATO-standard ammunition and can store at least 18 shells, along with propellant charges and fuses.
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