The French-German defense giant KNDS has been awarded a contract to supply Ukraine with 12 Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

The Minister of the French Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu announced this.

He noted that the agreement had been signed yesterday, on October 3, on the sidelines of an industrial forum in Kyiv.

According to the French minister, the supply of these wheeled self-propelled howitzers is financed by Ukraine.

“Increasing the production capacity of our (French – ed.) defense industry helps to support Ukraine,” Lecornu emphasized in his post on X (Twitter).

In early October, it became known that Belgium would consider a proposal to purchase and transfer three Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.

Also, Luxembourg ordered one Caesar 155 mm self-propelled howitzer for the Ukrainian military.

In January 2024, French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umierov founded an Artillery Coalition for Ukraine.

At the same time, it became known that 78 Caesar self-propelled howitzers would be purchased for the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of this French initiative.

According to the plans, all Caesar self-propelled howitzers are to be produced by the end of 2024.

In particular, France has already financed the production of twelve howitzers, allocating €50 million. Ukraine has also joined in, paying for six more.

In addition, France will train 2,100 Ukrainian recruits and arm them with Caesar howitzers, armored vehicles, and other systems.