Luxembourg to join artillery coalition

20 March, 2024 Caesar self-propelled guns of the Armed Forces. Photo credits: Joint Forces Task Force Luxembourg joined the artillery coalition led by France and Germany.

The Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced this. In addition, the country purchases drones for the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in cooperation with Belgium and the Netherlands.

Artillery coalition

On January 19, Militarnyi reported on the launch of the artillery coalition. During the first meeting, representatives of participating countries developed a common position on meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for certain types of artillery weapons.

Production of 155mm artillery barrels for Caesar ACS at Nexter facilities.

Photo credits: Anthony THOMAS-TROPHIME

Representatives of 22 countries attended the opening of the International Artillery Coalition. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Deputy Minister of Defense. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the members of the Artillery Coalition are countries that have advanced technologies for the production of advanced artillery systems, ammunition, artillery reconnaissance systems, unmanned aerial target designation systems, and fire control systems.

The aim of this initiative is to increase the capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, provide new artillery systems, and ensure the effective operation of the artillery weapons already provided. The participants also discussed issues of military and technical cooperation aimed at long-term support of artillery units of the Ukrainian army.

Caesar self-propelled howitzer of the Ukrainian military. Autumn 2022, Ukraine.

Photo credits: ArmyInform

Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk shared that Ukraine was interested in purchasing advanced artillery systems and deploying production of certain models in Ukraine. He emphasized that artillery systems, previously received from our partners, have demonstrated high efficiency in battles with Russian invaders. The initiative assumes the supply of 78 new Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine that will be manufactured in 2024.

Each of the coalition's member countries is expected to contribute to the project's financing.

France will use EUR50 million from its Ukrainian army support fund to order 12 of the 78 howitzers.

Ukraine will finance the production of 6 more howitzers.