France ramps up military aid to Ukraine with howitzers and shells

France is preparing new aid packages for Ukraine, including weapons and ammunition that Kyiv has been persistently seeking. Among the supplies, 155mm caliber shells and the highly esteemed CAESAR howitzers will be sent to the front. Here's a look at their capabilities.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu has confirmed the details regarding additional support for Ukraine. He highlighted that this significant aid would comprise 78 Caesar howitzers and 80,000 155mm caliber shells. Furthermore, he underscored France's efforts to procure additional ammunition for Ukraine from countries outside the European Union, joining a Czech initiative which has seen a substantial response across almost all of Europe.

It's worth noting that Czech authorities have already identified a supplier of ammunition for Ukraine, with the stipulation that the supplier remains anonymous. Consequently, at least 500,000 artillery shells of 155mm caliber and 300,000 artillery shells of 122mm caliber will be delivered to the Ukrainian forces.

The 155mm caliber shells, also provided by France from its stockpiles, are crucial as they are compatible with the majority of artillery systems in NATO countries, including those supplied to Ukraine like the Polish Krabs, German PzH 2000s, and the French CAESARs themselves.

The CAESAR (CAmion Equipped with an Artillery System) is a howitzer known for its rapid firing rate of up to 6 rounds a minute and the capability for Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mode. It uses a gun of 52 calibres in length. The engagement range is noteworthy, varying with the type of projectile used; it spans from about 30 km to 40 km, and with special rocket-assisted or Vulcano projectiles, it can reach up to around 80 km.

This French howitzer is distinguished by its mobility, thanks to its wheeled drive (6×6 or 8×8) and a 322 HP engine. On roads, the system can achieve speeds of up to 100 km/h.

CAESARs have been incorporated into the Ukrainian army and have proven highly effective on the front. The heavier variants, in particular, featuring an 8x8 drive, armoured cabins, and equipped with an automatic loading system, are especially valued.