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A series of European and non-European countries are arming themselves in the context of geostrategic developments. Among the countries that are strengthening their armies are Bulgaria and Slovenia, while the supplier is France. We are talking about the 'Caesar' howitzers.
According to information published by the Slovenian Ministry of Defense on June 13, Slovenia has confirmed the procurement of 12 French-made Caesar 6x6 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. The purchase follows the country's formal accession to a multinational European defense framework, initially established between France, Croatia and Estonia in June 2024. The framework agreement encourages EU member states to cooperate in joint defense procurement efforts and strengthen the continent's defense industrial base.
A French Army Caesar 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzer at the Eurosatory 2024 live demonstration demonstrated high mobility and precision strike capabilities.
Slovenia officially joined the initiative in May 2025, together with Bulgaria and Portugal, by signing Amendment 1 to the Framework Agreement. This amendment defines the structure and responsibilities of the cooperation, with France acting as the lead participant to carry out purchases on behalf of the member countries.
The Slovenian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the first batch of equipment, including 12 Caesar 6x6 artillery units, integrated reconnaissance assets and the Atlas artillery command and control system, will be delivered by 2028.
The CAesar (Camion Équipé d'un Système d'Artillerie), developed by the French defense company Nexter (a member of the KNDS group), is a highly mobile 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzer mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis.
This wheeled artillery system is known for its precise firepower and rapid deployment capability, supporting NATO standard ammunition and capable of firing up to six rounds per minute.
It is equipped with an advanced fire control system, GPS navigation and a ballistic computer to ensure highly accurate target engagement. With a range of up to 40 kilometers using ERFB-BB shells and more than 50 kilometers with rocket-assisted shells, Caesar combines long-range effectiveness with rapid repositioning, completing "shoot and go" operations in less than 60 seconds.
This joint procurement effort is strategically aligned with European objectives to foster defense cooperation and industrial synergy.
It ensures Slovenia's access to standardized and interoperable artillery systems across all allied forces, improving logistics and training efforts within the European defense community.
The delivery of Caesar systems with integrated reconnaissance and command modules further enhances Slovenia's operational capability in modern battlefield environments.
The Caesar system has already been adopted by many countries, underscoring its growing global appeal. France has deployed the Caesar 6x6 extensively and has ordered additional units to replace those transferred to Ukraine.
Denmark has chosen the heavier Caesar 8x8 variant to replace its legacy M109 howitzers. The Czech Republic is on track to produce 62 Caesar 8x8 units domestically.
Lithuania has ordered 18 Caesar 6x6 MkII systems, Estonia has received 12 units and Belgium has ordered 9 MkII variants.
Ukraine has integrated 49 Caesar systems, including 6x6 and 8x8 versions, delivered by France and Denmark. Other Caesar operators include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Thailand and Morocco, further illustrating its global strategic importance.
According to armyrecognition, the effectiveness of the Caesar system has been clearly demonstrated in Ukraine, where it has played a critical role in resisting Russian military advances. The Ukrainian armed forces value Caesar's accuracy, survivability, and mobility, which have proven decisive in artillery duels and in evading enemy battery fire.
The howitzer's performance has exceeded expectations, particularly its ability to maintain high operational readiness and effectiveness in high-intensity conflict conditions. Integration with precision-guided munitions has further enhanced its combat value, allowing for precision strikes on high-value targets.
Slovenia's purchase of the French Caesar 6x6 155 mm self-propelled howitzer marks a significant advance in the modernization of its artillery and a tangible step towards improving its national and collective European defense position.
By adapting a proven, widely used and combat-tested system, Slovenia demonstrates its strategic intent to remain interoperable with EU and NATO allies.
In a rapidly evolving European security environment, this procurement strengthens deterrence and preparedness through advanced and reliable artillery capabilities. /Pamphlet/
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