The Estonian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for the purchase of 12 Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia reported about this on X.

Under the signed contract, the Estonian Army will receive 12 Caesar self-propelled howitzers manufactured by the French company Nexter (KNDS).

These artillery systems will be delivered in two tranches: six units in 2024 and another six units in 2025.

The contract includes an option to order an additional number of artillery systems if necessary.

“Given the reliability and effectiveness of Caesar in various armed conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, we can say that we have received the best possible solution. It is important for us to cooperate with France in developing indirect fire capabilities, as well as the fact that we will quickly receive the systems and be able to integrate them with the domestic TOORU fire support system,” stated Ramil Lipp, Strategic Category Manager at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment.

The contract was signed during the Eurosatori 2024 defense exhibition, which is currently taking place in Paris.

In addition to artillery systems, Estonia signed a contract for the purchase of anti-aircraft missiles for the Mistral man-portable air defense system.

“We are pleased that the French industry can provide six howitzers this year, as well as the accompanying package of necessary training and spare parts, in a timeframe that meets Estonia’s urgent capacity development deadlines,” said Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense of Estonia.

The Estonian Army already operates K9 Thunder tracked self-propelled howitzers manufactured by the South Korean company Hanwha.

The purchase of French howitzers will qualitatively improve the capabilities of the Estonian Defence Forces and allow them to respond more flexibly to modern threats.

Militarnyi previously reported that Armenia and France had signed an agreement on the purchase of Caesar self-propelled howitzers.