France : KNDS clarifies CAESAr Cannon defects delivered to Morocco
Morocco has made a strategic shift in its artillery procurement, choosing the ATMOS 2000 howitzers from Israeli company Elbit Systems over the French CAESAr systems delivered in 2022 by KNDS France. According to La Tribune, the decision was primarily driven by the Royal Armed Forces' (FAR) dissatisfaction with the French manufacturer's after-sales service, criticized for its slow response to persistent technical issues.
However, the situation appears more nuanced. During a hearing at the French National Assembly on February 12, Alexandre Dupuy, director of «Systems» activities at KNDS France, provided context for Morocco's decision. He explained that the delivery of the Moroccan CAESArs coincided with the company's efforts to meet urgent demands from Ukraine.
Dupuy noted that the reported reliability problems, particularly with the hydraulic systems, stemmed from subcontractors rather than KNDS France itself. Resolving these issues was delayed due to the company's strained production capacity amid the Ukrainian conflict.
Despite these challenges, Dupuy argued that technical difficulties were not the primary factor in Morocco's decision. Instead, he pointed to a more comprehensive offer from Elbit Systems, which included dual capabilities: an artillery system integrated with a multiple rocket launcher — a feature KNDS France could not match.
Beyond the technical considerations, the move highlights Morocco's growing military cooperation with Israel. Alongside the ATMOS 2000, Rabat has also acquired the PULS rocket launcher system from Elbit Systems. The Israeli firm has successfully carved out a niche in the Moroccan defense market by providing tailored solutions to the FAR's needs, displacing KNDS France, as it previously did in Denmark.
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