Slovenia Signs Letter of Intent to Procure French CAESAR Howitzers and Mistral Air Defense Missiles.

According to a statement published by the Slovenia Ministry of Defense on July 12, 2024, Slovenia and France signed a letter of intent to procure CAESAR 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers and Mistral MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Missile Systems).
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Slovenia would like to acquire French military equipment including CAESAR 155mm howitzers and MISTRAL MANPADS Man Portable Air Defense Missile Systems.  (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Damir Črnčec, and the National Armaments Director at the Ministry of Defence of the French Republic, General Gaël Diaz de Tuesta, signed the Letter of Intent on the European joint procurement of CAESAR howitzers and Mistral air defense missile systems.

The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the French Republic on defense cooperation also includes collaboration in the design, implementation, and procurement of armaments. Encouraged by the EU for member states to cooperate in defense procurement and to strengthen the European defense technological and industrial base, the Letter of Intent facilitates further discussions on potentially procuring Caesar artillery weapon systems and Mistral air defense systems from French manufacturers. The acquisition of these weapon systems will be under the same conditions as for other countries joining this initiative.

The signing of the Letter of Intent will initiate all necessary procedures at the Slovenian Ministry of Defence for the potential procurement and introduction of new weapon systems into the Slovenian Armed Forces. This will also fulfill the requirement for submitting an application for European funding for the construction of joint military capabilities.

Armenia and Estonia recently signed significant contracts to acquire the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer from France. On June 26, 2024, Armenia entered into an agreement with France for 36 CAESAR howitzers. This acquisition aims to bolster Armenia's artillery capabilities, allowing them to equip two artillery battalions with these advanced systems. This deal underscores the strengthening of military cooperation between Armenia and France​.

Similarly, on June 19, 2024, Estonia signed a contract to procure 12 CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers from France. The first batch of howitzers is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, with the remaining units arriving in 2025. This procurement will enhance Estonia's artillery capabilities, adding to their existing arsenal of South Korean K9 Thunder howitzers. The contract also includes an option for Estonia to purchase an additional six units, potentially expanding their artillery battalion further​.

These contracts are part of France's broader strategy to export CAESAR systems, which have demonstrated effectiveness in various conflict environments, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mali. The CAESAR howitzer is valued for its mobility, range, and rapid deployment capabilities, making it a crucial asset for modern artillery forces.

The French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer has proven highly effective in Ukraine's defense against Russian forces. Since their deployment, CAESAR howitzers have been instrumental due to their mobility and rapid-fire capabilities. These systems, which can fire six shells per minute and quickly relocate, utilize a "shoot-and-scoot" tactic that has significantly improved their survival rates compared to other artillery systems. Only about 10% of the CAESAR units have been lost, compared to nearly 30% losses for other self-propelled or towed systems in Ukraine​.

The CAESAR howitzers have a range of up to 38 kilometers and can effectively strike targets while maintaining a high degree of mobility to avoid counter-battery fire. This has been crucial in the dynamic and often high-threat environment of the Ukrainian battlefield. Their use has provided Ukraine with a strategic advantage, enabling precise and rapid artillery strikes that have been vital in countering Russian advances and protecting Ukrainian positions​.

The CAESAR is a French-made 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by KNDS France. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Mistral MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense System) is a highly portable and effective surface-to-air missile system designed to target and destroy low-flying aircraft and helicopters. Developed by MBDA, a prominent European defense company, the Mistral missile system began production in 1989 and has since been adopted by over 40 armed forces globally, including those of France, Norway, and Ukraine.

The Mistral system has undergone significant evolution since its initial development by Matra, which later became part of MBDA. The latest version, Mistral 3, features advanced targeting accuracy, extended range, and enhanced resistance to countermeasures. This version is part of a broader family of Mistral systems, including ground-based configurations like the basic MANPADS and the more sophisticated ATLAS and MPCV systems, as well as naval versions such as SIMBAD and SADRAL, and an airborne ATAM version for helicopters.

Technically, the Mistral missile is 1.8 meters in length and weighs 19 kilograms, with a launcher weight of 24 kilograms. It achieves speeds up to Mach 2.6 (approximately 2,762 km/h) and has an effective firing range between 500 and 6,000 meters. It can engage targets at altitudes up to 3,000 meters. The warhead, weighing 3 kilograms, is a fragmentation type with tungsten alloy spherical fragments, designed for maximum damage upon detonation.

The Mistral MANPADS is designed to counter a wide array of aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It employs a passive infrared homing guidance system, which enables it to track and engage targets with high precision. The missile system's portability, rapid deployment capabilities, and high success rate make it a formidable component of modern air defense arsenals.

In recent conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Mistral MANPADS has proven effective, with Norway donating a significant number of these systems to Ukraine, highlighting their critical role in contemporary military strategy

The Mistral MANPADS is a lightweight, portable air defense missile system designed to be operated by ground troops for targeting and destroying low-flying aircraft and helicopters. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)