Estonia to Renew Strategic Defence Cooperation with France through the Procurement of Additional CAESAR Howitzers

Meeting today in Brussels, the Ministers of Defence of Estonia and France confirmed their intention to renew the strategic defence cooperation agreement between the two countries and welcomed the strong cooperation between their respective defence investment agencies in developing defence capabilities.

Following the meeting, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur stated that France is a highly important partner for Estonia and that strengthening defence cooperation is of utmost importance.

“I am pleased that the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), the French defence procurement agency Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), and the French company KNDS have signed a contract under which Estonia will procure an additional 12 CAESAR wheeled self-propelled howitzers. In accordance with the contract, the additional systems will arrive in Estonia already this year,” Minister Hanno Pevkur noted.

Last year, the Estonian Defence Forces received the first 12 CAESAR MK1 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, which were assigned to the newly established third self-propelled artillery battalion under the direct command of the Estonian Division.

According to Janari Kasemets, Category Manager for Combat Platforms at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, the CAESAR procurement process is an excellent example of effective international defence cooperation between Estonia and France.

“Only six months passed from the signing of the initial contracts to the arrival of the first CAESAR systems in Estonia. It is therefore particularly encouraging that we have now concluded a new contract for the acquisition of an additional quantity of self-propelled howitzers, and we hope that deliveries will proceed at an equally rapid pace,” added Kasemets.

The CAESAR self-propelled howitzer (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) MK1 is a 155 mm calibre indirect fire system that enables units to rapidly redeploy over long distances and engage targets at ranges exceeding 40 kilometres. The use of a standard calibre allows the system to operate with various types of NATO-standard ammunition. The system’s high degree of automation, combined with operational simplicity, enables crews to be trained within a matter of weeks. Its widespread use among different countries ensures long-term logistical support and availability of spare parts.

“The additional CAESAR self-propelled howitzers will significantly enhance the firepower and responsiveness of the Estonian Division, enabling effective indirect fire support to units across the entire territory of Estonia. The greater mobility of wheeled platforms compared to tracked systems allows for faster redeployment and substantially increases the flexibility and combat capability of the division’s indirect fire assets,” said Lieutenant Colonel Meelis Laanemets, Senior Staff Officer (Artillery Inspector) at the Analysis and Planning Department of the Estonian Defence Forces General Staff.