The Ukrainian military is likely to receive the latest version of the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer when negotiations are active.
Recently it was reported that the Ukrainian armed forces are about to receive more French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzers – this was said by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, after a meeting with his French counterpart Katri Colonna.
At the same time, the French publication Le Monde published a document stating that the delivery of these CAESAR self-propelled guns to Ukraine could happen soon, and was “the subject of negotiations”. lengthen”.
The fact that France has delivered to Ukraine almost 25% of its newest self-propelled artillery – Kyiv has received 18 of the 76 existing complexes in the French Army, so President Macron will probably refuse to do so. further weakening the combat strength of this country’s army.
Even so, Kyiv and Paris did not sit idly by but decided to look elsewhere for supplies. It should be noted that France can “borrow” between 6 and 12 CAESARs from the order for Denmark to deliver to Ukraine.
The contract for the supply of 15 CAESAR systems between France and Denmark was signed in 2017, adding four additional complexes to the agreement in 2019. At the same time, according to Le Monde, Kyiv submitted a request for 15 guns. Such self-propelled artillery.
The French publication acknowledges that such activity is “unprecedented and difficult for the French authorities”, but the process still has elements that make it possible.
This is due to the fact that the self-propelled guns produced for Copenhagen “are currently undergoing technical testing, however, they have not yet met the parameters originally requested by Denmark, making the cession to Ukraine more advantageous”.
It should also be noted, when we talk about the French CAESAR self-propelled gun for Denmark, this is a combination on a Tatra T815-7 truck chassis with an 8×8 configuration, not 6×6, currently equipped in the Army French team.
This version, introduced in 2015, received an updated weapon control system, as well as a new automatic loader, with a standard crew of 2 – 3 people. However, there is also the option to increase to 4-5 people.
The maximum range of the CAESAR 8×8 self-propelled gun is up to 55 km with VLAP ammunition, it can carry twice the number of rounds compared to the previous version – up to 36 rounds. The estimated rate of fire is 8 rounds per minute or 3 rounds in 15 seconds in rapid-fire mode.
The CAESAR 8×8 self-propelled artillery version also has an MSI mode that fires multiple rounds with different launch doses and trajectories to reach the target at the same time to increase damage.
Although the weight of the new system has increased significantly, thanks to the installation of a more powerful turbocharged diesel engine, the cross-country character of the CAESAR 8×8 is not affected.
Compared with other products in the same segment such as Israel’s ATMOS 2000 self-propelled artillery or Bogdana that Ukraine has just introduced, the CAESAR 8×8 proves to be superior.
This will be a significant addition to the Armed Forces of Ukraine when the hostilities are entering a new phase with counter-attacks taking place on all fronts.
