Chaiseri to supply 34 CAESAR support vehicles to Malaysia

Chaiseri's Jackal high-mobility armoured vehicle was unveiled at the Defense & Security 2025 show in Bangkok. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

Thai firm Chaiseri and partner company Thai Defense Industry (TDI) have signed an agreement with Malaysian company Shafleena to supply 34 wheeled support vehicles for the Malaysian Army's on-order KNDS CAESAR Mk I 155 mm/52-calibre truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers (SPHs).

A Chaiseri official told Janes on 22 October that the agreement was signed on 20 October. The vehicles include Chaiseri's Jackal 4×4 high-mobility armoured vehicle.

The agreement also covers the supply of a series of truck-based 6×6 platforms. These comprise one medium recovery vehicle, and an undisclosed number of ammunition supply vehicles, forward repair vehicles, and fire-control co-ordination vehicles.

The ammunition vehicles are intended to resupply 155 mm rounds, while the forward repair and medium recovery vehicles will provide maintenance and recovery support. The fire-control co-ordinating vehicles are intended to relay firing data to the howitzers. According to Chaiseri, the Jackals are suitable for convoy escort, forward observation, and reconnaissance.

Deliveries of the SPH support vehicles will begin in 2027, the official said. The vehicles will be manufactured in Thailand and Malaysia, although he gave no further details.

Malaysia selected 18 CAESAR Mk I SPHs in June 2026. KNDS said the acquisition includes technology transfer and assembly in Malaysia, where local firm Advanced Defense Systems will maintain the howitzers. Deliveries are expected between 2028 and 2030.

A KNDS spokesperson told Janes in June that the Malaysian CAESARs will use the AS4000 fire-control system already fitted to the Malaysian Army's 105 LG1 Mk III light guns. The systems will also be configured with right-hand drive. The CAESAR Mk I carries 18 rounds and, according to an earlier Janes