Russia Claims to Have Destroyed French CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer in Kursk.

A French-made CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) was reportedly destroyed in Russia's Kursk region, just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to an announcement from the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, no concrete images have been provided, making this claim one to be treated with caution.
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The CAESAR is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source: KNDS)

Moscow's military forces are said to have conducted the strike after a Russian reconnaissance drone identified the CAESAR SPH near the locality of Nikolayevo-Daryino, as stated in a release on Friday, September 6, 2024, and cited by the TASS news agency.

The ministry explained that once the drone operator located the artillery piece, its coordinates were transmitted to Russian forces, who then carried out a precise artillery strike. "Objective control methods confirmed the hit: a significant fire was observed at the enemy weapon’s location," the statement added.

A video shared by the ministry shows what appears to be the howitzer, accompanied by another vehicle, quickly driving down a road before pulling off and heading into a wooded area. Shortly after, a large explosion is visible, with thick smoke rising into the air.

The CAESAR is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer with a barrel length of 52 calibers, designed to provide long-range artillery support. France, Indonesia, Thailand, and Ukraine primarily use it. This artillery system is mounted on a truck chassis, giving it high mobility.

The standard version of the CAESAR is equipped with an unprotected cab. However, it can be upgraded to provide Level 2 ballistic protection against gunfire and mine protection, as well as protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The more recent armored version, the CAESAR NG, also includes a 7.62mm machine gun for close-range defense.

The CAESAR is designed to be operated by a crew of three to five soldiers and is equipped with various combat support systems, such as a heater, protection against NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) threats, and a white searchlight to improve visibility in nighttime operations. In terms of mobility, the truck can reach speeds of 90 km/h on roads and 50 km/h off-road, with a range of up to 600 kilometers. Weighing less than 18 tons, the system is relatively lightweight for a self-propelled howitzer, facilitating transport and deployment. Its overall dimensions are nearly 10 meters in length, 2.55 meters in width, and 3.2 meters in height, making it maneuverable while offering substantial firepower in diverse combat environments.

In another incident, the Russian Ministry of Defense also reported the destruction of another CAESAR SPH, this time in Donbass, where it was allegedly hit by a kamikaze drone.

This follows Ukraine's large-scale incursion into the Kursk region in early August, an offensive supported by Western-supplied equipment. Although Ukrainian forces initially made some progress, Moscow claims to have halted the advance. However, this information remains highly sensitive and should also be treated with caution.