The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces has contracted Israel’s Elbit Systems for the delivery of 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery systems.
This is in addition to an identical number of Caesar self-propelled howitzers the military procured from France in 2020 for 200 million euros ($207 million), receiving the first batch in 2022.
Since then, complaints of “recurring problems” have been made by the military to the manufacturer, KNDS France, according to La Tribune.
Indeed, some of the delivered systems are still not operational.
KNDS France delayed its response to the unspecified issues, annoying the Moroccans, the French weekly added, citing sources.
The military even hoped for a “commercial gesture” from KNDS that never came.
Meanwhile, Rabat jumped on the Elbit offer of the Atmos, La Tribune wrote.
According to the outlet, the selection was based on both commercial and technical factors.
The decision also reportedly affected Arquus’ bid to sell support vehicles to the Moroccan Armed Forces.
Atmos 2000
The 155 mm/52 caliber Atmos 2000 howitzer can be mounted on 6×6 or 8×8 truck chassis.
With an extended-range full-bore base bleed projectile, it has a range of over 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can fire the first round within 30 seconds.
The system can fire six rounds in 110 seconds, offering “shoot and scoot” capability.
Additionally, it can fire eight rounds in a minute as indirect fire and up to five rounds for multiple rounds of simultaneous impact.
The Atmos is equipped with an advanced integrated electronic suite and command and control.
The suite features an inertial navigation system-based laying system as well as an automatic loading system, enabling precise navigation, increased firepower, and autonomous operation.
The artillery system can be operated with a crew of 2 to 6, as per customer requirements.
