On August 6, 2025, the Estonian Ministry of Defence announced via the X platform that six French-made Caesar 155 mm self-propelled howitzers had arrived overnight. This delivery is the second batch of a total of twelve systems ordered under a June 2024 contract with Nexter, part of the KNDS group, which also includes an option for additional units depending on future operational needs. The first batch was delivered in late January 2025.
With this latest shipment, Estonia now has all twelve Caesar systems outlined in the agreement. Built on a 6×6 Sherpa truck chassis, the Caesar offers a blend of high firepower, mobility, and rapid deployment capabilities tailored for modern battlefields. Its 155 mm/52-caliber gun can strike targets up to 40 kilometers away, depending on the ammunition, with a firing rate of six rounds per minute. The vehicle carries 18 rounds and can be deployed or repositioned in under a minute thanks to its hydraulic system, reducing vulnerability to counter-battery fire.
Powered by a Renault diesel engine, the Caesar has a road range of 600 kilometers and a top speed of 90 km/h. It can climb gradients over 40 percent, cross water obstacles up to 1.20 meters deep, and accommodate a crew of three to five. The cabin can be fitted with Level 2 armor to protect against small arms fire and shell fragments. Its computerized fire control, GPS positioning, and integration into a C4I network enable seamless coordination with other artillery and command units.
Following the January delivery, the Estonian military launched a seven-week training program for conscripts, culminating in live-fire tactical exercises to ensure operational readiness. The acquisition forms part of a broader Baltic defense modernization effort in response to rising regional security threats, underlining Estonia’s commitment to increasing its ground-based firepower and aligning with NATO’s mobile precision artillery standards.
