Image source: topwar.ru
Last week, La Tribune reported that the Moroccan armed forces preferred to purchase 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from the Israeli company Elbit Systems, rather than CAESAR self-propelled guns from KNDS France, although they are already equipping local troops (36 units were received in September 2022).
As indicated, the Moroccan command expressed dissatisfaction with the after-sales service provided by the French manufacturer, as the latter was slow to solve the "recurring problems" found on CAESAR ships. Hence the decision to purchase Israeli systems.
However, in fact, the background of this case is much sadder for the French manufacturer, who himself outlined the reasons for rejecting the deal, despite the fact that it was believed to be already in his pocket.
- stated in the leadership of KNDS France during a hearing in the French Parliament.
Image source: topwar.ru
As soon as the problems became known, the company "mobilized to solve them quickly," but it turned out to be "not easy," because "it was necessary to conduct test firing on the spot and so on." Then, as soon as the "root cause" was identified, it had to be eliminated in difficult conditions, since at that time "we were working at maximum capacity, producing equipment for Ukraine." As a result, fixing the problems "took time," which was "inevitable."
However, KNDS France believes that Rabat's decision to abandon the further acquisition of CAESAR was influenced by Israel's proposal to purchase PULS multiple launch rocket systems simultaneously with the ATMOS 2000 ACS, as well as "political contacts and activities of Israeli companies in Morocco."
- it says in the French edition of Zone Militaire.
For its part, we note that Denmark, having acquired 19 CAESAR 8x8 units in 2017-2019, also faced technical problems with the self-propelled guns it had purchased. As a result, their entire fleet was transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and in return Copenhagen ordered Israeli ATMOS 2000 (along with MLRS PULS). Against this background, attempts to blame Israel for its "commercial dishonesty" look like a "trick", as if the French manufacturer did not resort to appropriate "lobbying" when concluding foreign contracts.
