Estonia Receives Second Batch of Caesar Self-Propelled Howitzers to Reinforce NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Estonia has officially received a second batch of six French Caesar 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, delivered overnight, according to a statement published on August 6, 2025, by the Estonian Ministry of Defence on the X platform. This delivery marks another step in the acquisition of a total of twelve systems, under a contract signed with Nexter, a subsidiary of the KNDS group, in June 2024. The agreement also includes an option for additional units depending on future requirements of the Estonian armed forces. The contract value has not been disclosed, but it covers the delivery of twelve systems in two batches, with the first shipment having taken place at the end of January 2025.
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These deliveries are part of a broader effort to modernize the defense posture of the Baltic States in response to growing regional security concerns. (Picture source: Estonian MoD)

This second delivery completes the total of twelve units planned in the bilateral agreement. The Caesar systems are wheeled self-propelled artillery platforms mounted on a 6x6 Sherpa truck chassis, designed to provide a combination of firepower, mobility, and rapid deployment, meeting the operational requirements of modern battlefields. Equipped with a 155 mm/52 caliber gun, the Caesar can fire up to six rounds per minute and reach targets at a maximum range of 40 kilometers, depending on the ammunition type. It carries eighteen rounds and features a hydraulic deployment system that enables quick repositioning in under a minute, helping to reduce exposure to counter-battery fire.

Beyond firepower, the Caesar offers strategic mobility thanks to its Renault diesel engine and a maximum range of 600 kilometers. It can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h on roads, climb slopes of more than 40 percent, and cross water obstacles up to 1.20 meters deep. The cabin accommodates three to five crew members and can be configured with Level 2 armor to protect small arms fire and shell fragments. The system is equipped with computerized fire control, GPS-based positioning, and can be integrated into a C4I network for coordination with other artillery or command units.

Following the initial delivery in January, the Estonian military launched a training program for conscripts. This seven-week course includes a final phase of tactical exercises with live fire, intended to ensure operational readiness of the systems. Images released by the Ministry of Defence show conscripts engaged in training on these howitzers.

These deliveries are part of a broader effort to modernize the defense posture of the Baltic States in response to growing regional security concerns. For Estonia, this acquisition reflects an intent not only to increase ground-based firepower, but also to align more closely with NATO standards in terms of mobile and precise artillery capability.

Estonia now has twelve Caesar self-propelled howitzers in service, delivered in two batches since January 2025. Supported by a localized training program and based on a platform proven in multiple external operations, this procurement demonstrates Estonia’s intention to strengthen its military capabilities within a tense geopolitical environment.