Estonia bolsters defence with cutting-edge French CAESAR howitzers

Estonian authorities are gearing up for additional acquisitions to bolster their military's capabilities. This time, their attention is on the CAESAR howitzers. But what exactly is this weapon?

Estonia ranks among the nations most apprehensive about Russia's manoeuvres. Along with providing substantial support to Ukraine, proportional to its GDP, the country is also focused on modernising and rearming its military. Recent acquisition decisions include FGM-148 Javelin launchers, Blue Spear anti-ship missiles, and advanced IRIS-T air defence systems. The list of new gear for the Estonian military also features the CAESAR howitzers.

Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur confirmed this development in an interview with Postimees. He revealed plans to purchase 18-wheeled self-propelled CAESAR howitzers, deeming it "the most significant weapons acquisition for enhancing the Estonian military." This new equipment will facilitate the establishment of a distinct artillery unit.

CAESAR (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) is a French artillery system designed to replace the F3 howitzers. It was introduced in 1994 and entered service in 2008. Today, it is used by various countries worldwide.

To date, Estonian officials have not disclosed which variant of the French howitzers they are interested in. The standard model is mounted on a six-wheeled Renault Sherpa truck chassis, but some international buyers have opted for a version on the Tatra 817 8x8 chassis. This variant is particularly appealing because it features an armoured cabin and an automatic loading system.

The French devised an artillery system with a 155 mm long barrel (52 calibres). This configuration achieves a firing range of up to about 40 kilometres with standard ammunition and up to about 50 kilometres with rocket-assisted projectiles.

The CAESAR howitzer boasts a rapid firing rate of up to 6 rounds/min and the capability to operate in MRSI mode. The total weight of the 6x6 version is about 17,700 kg, and for the 8x8 chassis version, it reaches approximately 30,000 kg.