French Caesar howitzers: A formidable force in Ukraine
According to a report from the Spanish military-focused service Infodefensa, out of the 67 Caesar self-propelled howitzers delivered to Ukraine so far, the Russians have destroyed only four. Further deliveries of this weapon to the front have already been confirmed, making French artillery increasingly considered a nightmare for the Russians.
Journalists from the Infodefensa service cite data provided by Oryx analysts, who systematically update the list of losses suffered by both sides of the ongoing war. The list includes only four destroyed Caesar self-propelled howitzers (French CAmion Équipé du Système d’ARtillerie). The invaders managed to damage another three, but they may return to service after repairs.
Caesar is performing well in Ukraine
Thus, Caesar stands out compared to other NATO artillery systems, which the Russians eliminate much more often.
Caesar self-propelled howitzers are being delivered to Ukraine from France and Denmark, which decided to give all its systems of this type to Ukraine. The Scandinavian country had a modernised version based on the Tatra 8x8 chassis, while the French standard variants use the Renault 6x6 chassis. Danish Caesars additionally have an armoured cabin, an automatic loading system, and more ammunition space. However, both variants perform equally well regarding range and accuracy, features highly praised by Ukrainian soldiers.
Capabilities of Caesar self-propelled howitzers
French designers opted for a 155 mm calibre gun (standard for modern NATO artillery) with a barrel length of 52 calibres, which gives the Caesar a high range. The target engagement range is approximately 40 kilometres to even 55 kilometres (depending on the type of shells). However, with the new Vulcano GLR sub-calibre shells, the range can reach up to 80 kilometres.
It is also possible to fire in the destructive MRSI mode. The rate of fire can reach up to 6 rounds per minute. The French howitzer can be ready to fire in less than a minute after stopping. Speaking about Caesar's capabilities, Ukrainian soldiers emphasise its high mobility and manoeuvrability, which are useful in the field and their great range and accuracy.
