France will sell Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Armenia, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced last week.
News outlet La Figaro, citing sources, revealed that the contract is for 36 howitzers, enough to equip a pair of artillery battalions.
According to the outlet, Paris signed a framework agreement for the joint acquisition of Caesars with Armenia and Estonia.
Sought-After Cannon
Estonia will purchase 12 Caesars as part of the agreement, while an additional 12 each will be delivered to Ukraine and Croatia as part of separate procurements, according to La Figaro.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty later confirmed the number purchased by Armenia through a senior Armenian official, adding that the platforms would be delivered within 15 months.
Additionally, a deal to deliver Caesar parts and ammunition was signed between manufacturer KNDS and the Armenian ministry of defense, according to Forces Operations Blog.
Features
The Caesar is one of the most advanced 155 mm, 52 barrel truck-mounted cannons in the world, capable of firing six shells over 50 kilometers (31 miles) within a minute.
The latest Mark 2 version features a more powerful engine and armored cabin with first delivery expected in 2026.
Additional countries to have purchased the system include Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Morocco, Denmark, Lithuania, and Belgium.
High demand has spurred an increase in the gun’s production rate, with the manufacturer expecting 12 units per month in 2025, from the current six.
Armenia’s Arms Import Diversification
The deal is Yerevan’s latest attempt to diversify its Russia-dependent arsenal, with 94 percent of Armenia’s major arms imports in 2011-2020 coming from Russia.
Armenia intensified its diversification following the Nagorno-Karabakh setback at the hands of Azerbaijan in 2020, receiving Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems from India in 2023.
Weeks after Azerbaijani forces conquered the entire Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, France announced it would strengthen Armenia’s air defenses with the supply of three Ground Master-200 radars and eventually Mistral short-range air defense systems.
Additionally, Armenia has procured four mobile Swathi artillery-locating, counter-battery radars, Zen anti-drone systems and medium-range Akash air defense missile systems from India.
