Eurosatory 2024: Estonia orders CAESAR SPHs, Croatia also plans to procure

Estonia ordered 12 CAESAR Mk I SPHs at Eurosatory 2024. (KNDS)

Estonia ordered 12 CAESAR wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition held in Paris from 17 to 21 June. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) announced in a press release on 19 June that it had signed contracts with the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, and KNDS for 12 CAESAR 6×6 SPHs, with an option for more, on 19 June. Estonia also signed a framework agreement to join a joint European procurement of CAESAR SPHs, an ECDI spokesperson told Janes on 20 June.

ECDI and KNDS spokespeople told Janes on 20 June that the SPHs are newbuild CAESAR Mk Is to be produced by KNDS France. Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) project officer Lieutenant Colonel Rauno Viitmann said the SPHs would equip the EDF's third self-propelled artillery battalion, which will operate directly under the Estonian division. ECDI Strategic Category Manager (Armaments) Ramil Lipp said the SPHs would be integrated with Estonia's Tooru fire-control system. Estonia will receive the first six CAESARs at the end of 2024, with deliveries continuing until mid-2025.