Breaking News: France announces big delivery for Ukraine with the supply of 78 CAESAR howitzers.

On January 17, 2024, France is set to deliver 78 CAESAR (Camion équipé d'un Système d'artillerie) 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, as announced by Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of the Armed Forces. In a departure from previous deliveries, these upcoming CAESAR will be manufactured in France, with no units being withdrawn from the existing French stock.
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A CAESAR 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzer in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

The production time for the CAESAR, by KNDS which includes the French defense company Nexter, is being halved from 30 to 15 months. Concurrently, Lecornu announced an increase in the production of 155mm shells, from 2000 to 3000 per month, by the end of January. France is initiating the funding to encourage other nations to join this effort. Ukraine has already purchased 6 CAESAR units as a part of this initiative.

On January 16, President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France's support for Ukraine. Pending the signing of a bilateral security agreement, Ukraine is set to receive about forty SCALP-EG air-to-ground missiles. This military support to Ukraine, playing a crucial role in bolstering Ukrainian defense capabilities amidst ongoing conflicts. As Ukraine faces challenges in its conflict with Russia and with American support potentially fluctuating based on upcoming election outcomes. 

The Ukrainian military has already received a total of 49 CAESAR (Camions équipés d'un système d'artillerie) 155 mm howitzers. In 2022, 18 of these were donated by the French Army. In January, Kyiv ordered an additional 12 from Nexter (or KNDS France), which were swiftly sourced from the inventory of the French artillery to expedite the process. Simultaneously, Denmark contributed the 19 units it had acquired in the 8x8 version. For General Ivan Gavryliuk, the Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense: “The CAESAR have demonstrated great effectiveness and precision in combat,”. He further emphasized the significance of enhancing Ukraine's firepower through the provision of artillery systems by allies.

The CAESAR 6x6 is a self-propelled howitzer manufactured by Nexter Systems, a French company and part of the KNDS group. Introduced to the French Army in 2008, the CAESAR features a 155mm/52 caliber cannon, designed for both strategic and tactical mobility, suitable for various operational scenarios.

The 155mm cannon of the CAESAR is notable for its extended firing range, capable of launching projectiles from 4.5 to 40 km. It has a storage capacity of up to 18 projectiles and charges in enclosed ammunition boxes. The cannon is equipped with a hydraulic elevation system and has manual control in case of hydraulic failure. Its indirect ground target engagement capabilities include an elevation range of -3° to +10° and a traverse of 21° left to 27° right.

The CAESAR's mobility is powered by a Renault dCI 6 diesel engine and manual gearbox, achieving a maximum road speed of 90 km/h and 50 km/h off-road. It has a cruising range of 600 km and can navigate steep slopes of over 40% and side slopes of 30%, and can ford waters up to 1.20 m deep without preparation.

It can operate autonomously or be integrated into artillery command and control systems. The CAESAR's adaptability to different truck chassis, as per customer requirements, adds to its deployment flexibility. The CAESAR has been deployed in various regions including Afghanistan, Mali, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, the Sahel region, the Middle East, and East Asia. Over 300 CAESAR mobile artillery systems have been produced, and it is used by several countries, including France, Indonesia, Thailand, and Ukraine.

Defense News January 2024