France will produce dozens of Caesar ACS for Ukraine

18 January, 2024 Production of 155mm artillery barrels for Caesar ACS at Nexter facilities. Photo credits: Anthony THOMAS-TROPHIME The French Minister of Defense announced a contract for the production of dozens of Caesar self-propelled guns for Ukraine.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu reported this to Le Parisien. "We are launching an initiative in artillery, the production of Caesar ACS from Nexter in Bourges and Roane. Our initiative is aimed at producing 78 Caesars in 2024," Lecornu shared.

The Minister noted that France also wants to "encourage Europeans and allies to share this legislation." According to him, Ukraine has already contributed to the initiative. "Ukraine itself is ready to join the project with a small part of its resources: it has just purchased six Caesar at its own expense to launch the initiative," he said. Lecornu assured that the increased production rate will allow the release of almost 80 ACS in 2024.

This will be possible due to a reduction in the production cycle of one self-propelled gun from 30 to 15 months. In addition, the manufacturer Nexter was able to create the necessary reserves, and its human resources were "strongly mobilized."

Production of 155mm artillery barrels for Caesar ACS at Nexter facilities. Photo credits: Anthony THOMAS-TROPHIME

In addition, the Franco-German company KNDS, which includes Nexter, predicted an increase in demand for its flagship system. The manufacturer announced the reorganization of its production lines.

Thanks to this, the output should grow from the current 6 howitzers to 8 per month in 2024.

Production of ammunition

France's new artillery initiative also includes supplying Ukraine with artillery ammunition for new howitzers. "By April 2023, we were transferring 1,000 155mm shells monthly. Since then, the military economy has allowed us to increase production to 2000 ammunition per month.

And from the end of January, we will increase to 3000," the Minister said. Lecornu stressed that the increase in ammunition production rests on the shortage of gunpowder in the world market. This is caused by high demand, as at the moment, all countries are increasing their armaments.

Because of this, France is now prioritizing the movement of the powder production inside the country.

It is reported that a new enterprise in Bergerac should soon be opened.

In his interview, Sebastien Lecornu also revealed that France would supply Ukraine with 40 new SCALP EG long-range cruise missiles and "hundreds of bombs."