The Estonian Defense Forces may receive 18 modern French Caesar self-propelled artillery systems (SAU). This was announced by Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur in an interview with Postimees, UNN reports with reference to ERR.
Details
Hanno Pevkur said that the 155-mm self-propelled artillery systems are the most important weapons purchase in the package of strengthening the Defense Forces. It is planned to form a separate battalion from them, which will report directly to the 1st Division.
At present, the Estonian Defense Forces reportedly have 24 K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems at their disposal.
Another major planned investment is the construction of a new ship for the Estonian Navy, the minister said.
"We plan to build the new ship ourselves rather than order it," Pevkur said, adding that its estimated cost would be 30-40 million euros.
Earlier, UNN reported that France will soon be able to deliver 78 Caesar howitzers to Ukraine and will increase the supply of shells to meet Kyiv's urgent needs for ammunition to fight a full-scale Russian invasion.