Armenia pivots to France with deal for Caesar howitzers
Armenia and France have reached an agreement regarding the purchase of French self-propelled howitzers Caesar. This is another sign of Armenia's rapprochement with the West and the simultaneous cooling of relations between Yerevan and Moscow. We explain the capabilities of the Caesars.
In 2023, information emerged that Armenia is considering leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The local authorities are increasingly looking for military equipment agreements with NATO countries. The probable reason for this behaviour is Russia's failure to fulfil previously signed contracts. As a result of Western sanctions, it has problems producing and exporting equipment for its army.
Armenia buys French self-propelled howitzers Caesar
"We continue to strengthen our defence relations with Armenia. [...] A new, important milestone in signing a contract to purchase Caesar howitzers," French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on his social media profiles.
The Caesar howitzers (CAmion Équipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie) are weapon systems using 155-mm calibre shells, the standard in this type of NATO artillery system. It provides a rate of fire of up to six rounds per minute and the ability to work in MRSI mode, with a range of targets from 30 km to 40 km (depending on the type of shells).
From the photos published by the French defence minister, France will supply Armenia with variants mounted on 6x6 truck chassis (heavier variants based on 8x8 trucks are also produced). They are equipped with a 215 HP engine, allowing the entire vehicle to accelerate up to 100 km/h on roads and up to 50 km/h off-road.
The details of the contract, in particular, its value and the number of these artillery systems ordered by Armenia, have not yet been disclosed.
It is no secret, however, that the agreement involving the Caesar howitzers is only part of a broader military-technical cooperation between France and Armenia. Already last year, it was confirmed that France would supply Armenia with air defence equipment (including Ground Master 200 radars and short-range Mistral anti-aircraft systems). Besides that, Armenia also decided on French armoured vehicle Bastion.
