New Howitzer Introduced by Franco-German Defense Manufacturer KNDS
PARIS — KNDS, a Franco-German defense partnership known for producing the Leopard tank and the Caesar truck-mounted gun, has introduced a new howitzer featuring a barrel longer than any other in NATO’s current artillery lineup. This extended barrel length enables the weapon to hit targets up to 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) away using standard high-explosive shells.
The new artillery piece, which combines KNDS Germany’s Artillery Gun Module with a French-manufactured barrel mounted on a tracked Boxer chassis, has already seen a prototype being tested. Pierre Septfons, an artillery engineer with KNDS France, discussed the company’s plans for mass production of the howitzer, targeting the period from 2032 to 2035, during a press briefing at the Eurosatory defense exhibition near Paris.
Technical Advancements in the Loras Howitzer
The howitzer, named Loras for its long-range capabilities, features a 58 caliber gun tube, which is approximately 12% longer than the 52 caliber tubes used in most modern European artillery systems, and significantly exceeds the 39 caliber length of the U.S.’s M109 Paladin. The increased barrel length allows for a longer range, and KNDS has also enhanced the maximum powder charge to extend the firing distance further.
“Our objective was to achieve a 60-kilometer range with conventional ammunition, avoiding the need for rocket-assisted projectiles,” Septfons explained. The typical range for 52 caliber guns firing 155mm ammunition is around 40 kilometers.
KNDS has been funding the development of this new howitzer and its ammunition independently, though it has received some initial support from France’s Directorate General for Armament to ensure the project was on the right path, Septfons noted.
In contrast, the U.S. discontinued its Extended Range Cannon Artillery program in March 2024 after encountering excessive wear and tear on the gun tube of its prototype ERCA howitzer, which also used a 58 caliber barrel. Despite this, Septfons mentioned that the KNDS howitzer includes a larger combustion chamber that produces a much more gradual pressure curve, helping to reduce barrel wear.
European artillery manufacturers have consistently developed 52 caliber guns, accumulating significant expertise that aids in minimizing barrel wear, according to the engineer.
Innovations and Operational Efficiency
The loading mechanism in the Loras is fully automated, representing a more recent development than that found in the Panzerhaubitze 2000, although operational feedback from Ukraine has shown lower availability rates for some automated howitzers under combat conditions, compared to simpler systems like the Caesar.
While the Loras incorporates certain elements from the Panzerhaubitze, especially in shell loading, its overall system includes more modern electronics and a newly designed loading mechanism. The barrels are produced at KNDS France’s facility in Bourges, central France, with costs only marginally higher than those for a 52 caliber barrel.
Furthermore, the Loras howitzer is designed to accept between one and eight modular propellant charges, an increase from the one to six available in the Caesar. With advanced munitions like ramjet-propelled or gliding shells, the gun could potentially reach distances close to 100 kilometers. However, KNDS is currently focusing on developing a standard range of munitions and is open to collaborations with other manufacturers for more sophisticated projectile designs, Septfons explained.
The Loras will also be capable of firing standard 52 caliber shells, although these will not necessarily increase its range. KNDS is actively developing a suite of munitions specifically designed for the 58-caliber system to fully exploit its capabilities, aiming to produce a comprehensive family of conventional shells including high-explosive, illumination, and smoke rounds capable of reaching up to 60 kilometers.
For now, the emphasis remains on conventional munitions, with a view towards future partnerships for the development of advanced munition types, according to Septfons.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
