Slovenia Signs Letter of Intent to Procure French CAESAR Howitzers and Mistral Air Defense Missiles
Slovenia would like to acquire French military equipment including CAESAR 155mm howitzers and MISTRAL MANPADS Man Portable Air Defense Missile Systems.
The Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Damir Črnčec, and the National Armaments Director at the Ministry of Defence of the French Republic, General Gaël Diaz de Tuesta, signed the Letter of Intent on the European joint procurement of CAESAR howitzers and Mistral air defense missile systems.
The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the French Republic on defense cooperation also includes collaboration in the design, implementation, and procurement of armaments. Encouraged by the EU for member states to cooperate in defense procurement and to strengthen the European defense technological and industrial base, the Letter of Intent facilitates further discussions on potentially procuring Caesar artillery weapon systems and Mistral air defense systems from French manufacturers. The acquisition of these weapon systems will be under the same conditions as for other countries joining this initiative.
The signing of the Letter of Intent will initiate all necessary procedures at the Slovenian Ministry of Defence for the potential procurement and introduction of new weapon systems into the Slovenian Armed Forces. This will also fulfill the requirement for submitting an application for European funding for the construction of joint military capabilities.
Armenia and Estonia recently signed significant contracts to acquire the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer from France. On June 26, 2024, Armenia entered into an agreement with France for 36 CAESAR howitzers. This acquisition aims to bolster Armenia’s artillery capabilities, allowing them to equip two artillery battalions with these advanced systems. This deal underscores the strengthening of military cooperation between Armenia and France.
Similarly, on June 19, 2024, Estonia signed a contract to procure 12 CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers from France. The first batch of howitzers is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, with the remaining units arriving in 2025. This procurement will enhance Estonia’s artillery capabilities, adding to their existing arsenal of South Korean K9 Thunder howitzers. The contract also includes an option for Estonia to purchase an additional six units, potentially expanding their artillery battalion further.
These contracts are part of France’s broader strategy to export CAESAR systems, which have demonstrated effectiveness in various conflict environments, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mali. The CAESAR howitzer is valued for its mobility, range, and rapid deployment capabilities, making it a crucial asset for modern artillery forces.
The French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer has proven highly effective in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces. Since their deployment, CAESAR howitzers have been instrumental due to their mobility and rapid-fire capabilities. These systems, which can fire six shells per minute and quickly relocate, utilize a “shoot-and-scoot” tactic that has significantly improved their survival rates compared to other artillery systems. Only about 10% of the CAESAR units have been lost, compared to nearly 30% losses for other self-propelled or towed systems in Ukraine.
The CAESAR howitzers have a range of up to 38 kilometers and can effectively strike targets while maintaining a high degree of mobility to avoid counter-battery fire. This has been crucial in the dynamic and often high-threat environment of the Ukrainian battlefield. Their use has provided Ukraine with a strategic advantage, enabling precise and rapid artillery strikes that have been vital in countering Russian advances and protecting Ukrainian positions.
