Slovenia Joins Joint European Procurement of Caesar Self-Propelled Howitzers

Slovenia has joined a joint European procurement initiative to purchase French-made Caesar self-propelled artillery systems alongside Bulgaria, Portugal, Croatia, Estonia, and France, the Slovenian Ministry of Defence announced.

In May 2025, the defense ministries of Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Portugal signed an amendment to the framework agreement initially concluded in June 2024 by Croatia, Estonia, and France, allowing them to participate in the pooled acquisition of the systems.

Joint procurement enables participating countries to reduce costs through bulk orders and accelerate delivery timelines by providing manufacturers with predictable production volumes.

Within the agreement, Slovenia plans to purchase the systems in two phases.

The first order, already approved by the Ministry of Defence, covers the delivery of 12 Caesar 6×6 155mm self-propelled howitzers by 2028, along with reconnaissance systems and the Atlas artillery command and control platform. The contract is valued at nearly €87 million, excluding VAT.

The second phase, which has not yet been finalized, is expected to include six additional Caesar systems to be delivered by 2030.

Slovenia’s interest in the Caesar system was first reported in July 2024. At the same time, the country is also considering the purchase of French Mistral man-portable air defense systems.

While Portugal and Bulgaria have not yet issued formal announcements on their respective orders, both countries have previously expressed intentions to purchase the Caesar platform.

Bulgaria has not disclosed the number of systems it intends to purchase, but it plans to replace its legacy 122mm Soviet-era Gvozdika howitzers.

Portugal, meanwhile, aims to purchase up to 36 Caesar units to unify its artillery forces. The Portuguese Army currently operates three different artillery systems, which officials say create logistical and operational inefficiencies.

“The agreement signed today provides for the acquisition of up to 36 systems,” Portuguese Army Chief of Staff General Eduardo Mendes Ferrão stated at the framework signing in October 2024. “The objective is to equip all Portuguese artillery with the same system.”