Eurosatory 2024: Estonia purchases 12 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to form a new artillery unit.

On June 19, 2024, Estonia signed an agreement with the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and the defense company KNDS to acquire 12 CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers. This procurement deal, signed during the Eurosatory 2024 defense exhibition in Paris, includes an option for Estonia to purchase up to six additional howitzers in the future and will lead to the creation of a new Estonian wheeled self-propelled artillery battalion.
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The first batch of CAESAR howitzers is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, with the remaining units arriving by mid-2025, to develop a new wheeled self-propelled artillery battalion (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting the role French companies play in enhancing Estonia’s defense capabilities and contributing to the European defense industry. General Gaël Diaz De Tuesta of the DGA stated that the CAESAR howitzers represent an advanced solution in wheeled artillery, a vital component for effective fire support. He also mentioned that this joint procurement initiative with Croatia and France would boost interoperability among the EU’s land forces.

The CAESAR howitzers, mounted on a 6×6 chassis and equipped with a 155 mm caliber cannon, will be incorporated into Estonia’s newly established third self-propelled artillery battalion. This unit will operate under the command of the Estonian division, according to Project Officer Major Rauno Viitman. The effectiveness and reliability of the CAESAR system, proven in various conflicts including the ongoing war in Ukraine, were key factors in Estonia's decision. Ramil Lipp, ECDI’s Strategic Category Manager for Armament, emphasized the importance of this acquisition for enhancing Estonia’s indirect fire capabilities and integrating these new systems with Estonia’s domestic fire support system, TOORU.

The first batch of CAESAR howitzers is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, with the remaining units arriving by mid-2025. General Emeric Wininger, Director for Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America at the DGA, confirmed that the reinforced production line at KNDS France would enable the timely delivery of the first howitzers by the end of this year.

Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, marked this procurement as a milestone in Estonia-France defense relations. He noted that the CAESAR howitzers, proven effective in Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, would enhance Estonia’s mobile, flexible, and long-range fire support capabilities. This acquisition aligns with the priorities outlined in Estonia’s National Defence Development Plan, which calls for the rapid development of a wheeled self-propelled artillery battalion.

The howitzer can fire standard shells up to 42 kilometers and rocket-assisted projectiles beyond 50 kilometers, with a rate of fire of six rounds per minute. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Minister Pevkur expressed that the French industry could meet Estonia’s urgent requirements, providing six howitzers along with necessary training and spare parts within the desired timeframe. This deal strengthens Estonia’s defense capabilities and the strategic partnership between Estonia and France, contributing to the interoperability and effectiveness of their armed forces.

The CAESAR self-propelled howitzer, developed by the French defense company Nexter, has its origins in the late 1990s. The first prototype was completed in 1994, and initial deliveries to the French Army began in 2003. Designed to replace older artillery systems, the CAESAR aimed to provide improved mobility, deployment speed, and precision firepower. It integrates advanced technologies such as an inertial navigation system and a ballistic computer, reflecting a shift towards more mobile and flexible artillery solutions in modern military operations.

The CAESAR's combat performance includes its use in various conflicts. It is mounted on a 6×6 or 8×8 truck chassis and equipped with a 155 mm, 52-caliber cannon. The howitzer can fire standard shells up to 42 kilometers and rocket-assisted projectiles beyond 50 kilometers. It has a rate of fire of six rounds per minute and is designed for rapid deployment, capable of setting up and firing within 60 seconds. The CAESAR has been used in military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mali. In Ukraine, it has been used by Ukrainian forces since 2022, with France delivering 30 units and Denmark supplying 19 CAESAR 8x8 units.

The CAESAR is utilized by various countries worldwide. France operates 109 units and plans to upgrade to the CAESAR NG model by 2030. Denmark and the Czech Republic have incorporated the CAESAR into their artillery forces, with Denmark operating 19 units until recently and the Czech Republic ordering 52. Indonesia and Thailand also use the CAESAR, with Thailand employing it in conflict against Cambodia. Additionally, Lithuania has ordered 18 units, indicating the system's adoption among NATO and EU members.