Ukraine to receive 12 Caesar ACSs for funds from frozen Russian assets

20 October, 2024 Caesar wheeled self-propelled gun of the French Ground Forces. Photo: KNDS France will transfer 12 additional Caesar wheeled artillery systems to Ukraine using funds from the Russian Federation's frozen assets.

BFMTV reported this, citing the words of Sebastien Lecornu, the French Minister of the Armed Forces. The transfer of additional artillery systems from France became possible due to the receipt of frozen Russian assets worth EUR 300 million. With these funds, the French Ministry of Defense will be able to finance the purchase of 12 additional Caesar self-propelled artillery systems from KNDS.

CAESAR MKII self-propelled howitzer. Photo: NEXTER

"France has 'returned' EUR 300 million of interest from frozen Russian assets to purchase military equipment for Ukraine at the end of the year, including 12 new Caesar artillery systems," Sebastien Lecornu shared. The French Ministry of Defense noted that since the beginning of 2022, France has transferred about 60 guns to Ukraine, and according to the plan, this number should reach 80 by the end of 2024.

In addition, the Minister noted that these funds would be enough to purchase additional 155mm artillery shells, Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles, AASM precision-guided weapons, and Mistral man-portable air defense systems along with new missiles. It is worth noting that KNDS will fulfill this order much faster due to the increase in the production of artillery systems amid the growth in the total number of export orders. Nexter reported that it has increased the production of Caesar self-propelled howitzers to six monthly units and continues to increase it significantly.

CAESAR ACS.

Photo: Nexter

The French company KNDS has a portfolio of orders for 353 Caesar wheeled self-propelled artillery systems, which are part of the total order from export customers. Among the largest customers are France (125 ordered ACSs) and Ukraine (72 ordered ACSs). In addition to the European countries that ordered French systems, Armenia also placed a corresponding order, ordering 36 artillery systems in the Mk.1 version.

Militarnyi previously reported that defense giant KNDS received a contract to supply Ukraine with 12 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems.

According to the French Minister, Ukraine is financing the supply of these wheeled self-propelled artillery systems.