Ukraine set to receive new Caesar howitzers: what is current production rate?

Defense Express analyzed France’s production rates of the Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

Currently, Ukraine has 49 Caesar artillery systems in service, with 30 units directly supplied by France, and an additional 19 transferred from Denmark as part of defense assistance.

The new initiative aims to produce 78 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems in 2024. Lecornu highlighted that Ukraine has already purchased six Caesar systems to kick-start the initiative, with the possibility of undisclosed additional purchases in progress. The Minister emphasized that the manufacturer, Nexter KNDS, has expedited production by mobilizing employees, accumulating stocks of components, and reducing the production time for one artillery system from 30 to 15 months.

Lecornu also mentioned that the production rate of self-propelled artillery systems has tripled, increasing from two vehicles at the beginning of 2022 to six, with expectations to reach eight units per month by early 2023. This increased production capacity suggests that Nexter KNDS could fulfill the order for Ukraine within a relatively short timeframe.

In addition to the artillery systems, Lecornu reported on the supply of ammunition to Ukraine, which is set to increase. The monthly supply of 155-mm artillery shells is expected to rise from 1,000 to 3,000 by the end of the month. The production time for missiles for the Mistral air defense system and GM200 radars has also been significantly reduced, from 18 to 6 months. Additionally, the production of Rafale aircraft has tripled, from one to three, reflecting France's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities.