Paris to Significantly Increase Orders of Caesar Howitzers Supplied to Kyiv

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has spoken about ammunition orders for 2022 and 2023 during Senate hearings.

According to the minister, priority is given to 155 mm caliber shells intended for Caesar howitzers that Paris supplies to Kyiv. The 155 mm howitzers mounted on trucks can fire with high precision up to a range of 40 km and can change position before the enemy returns fire.

The minister recalled that in July, an order was placed for 5,000 155 mm shells for the Caesar. The pace of orders will increase this year, with a new order for 16,000 155 mm shells by March, as well as three annual orders of 15,000 155 mm caliber shells and missiles for the Mistral.

“Expenses related to Ukraine will be removed from the next military plan in agreement with the president and the prime minister. This will allow us to address this issue in a more democratic way,” said the defense minister (quoted by BFM TV).

In November 2022, Sébastien Lecornu announced the transfer of six Caesar howitzers to Ukraine. In January, it became known that Paris would provide the Ukrainian armed forces with an additional 12 Caesar howitzers.