Slovenia’s Ministry of Defense announced on 13 June it had placed an order for 12 CAESAR 6×6 wheeled self-propelled howitzers from France, with deliveries set to begin in 2028. Army Recognition reported the deal, which places Slovenia among several nations waiting for delivery of the in-demand French artillery systems. Defense Express says the order appears at odds with France’s earlier commitment to send all CAESARs produced in 2025 to Ukraine.

France promised 2025-made CAESARs to Ukraine

Defense Express notes that the new Slovenian contract raises questions about how France will manage competing obligations. In May 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron committed to supplying Ukraine with all CAESAR howitzers produced during the year. However, deliveries to Slovenia indicate that not all units manufactured in 2025 may be reserved for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Production rate and delivery timeline reshaped by high demand

France has recently accelerated its production rate for the CAESAR system. As of November 2024, the production cycle had been reduced from 30 months to 15, with monthly output reaching up to 12 units. This shift means that artillery systems promised for 2025 delivery entered production no earlier than January 2024 and will be completed by late 2026.

Ukrainian gunners praise CAESAR howitzers’ precision and mobility

Domestic and export contracts filling the production queue

France’s defense industry is facing a large backlog, according to Defense Express. Beyond Slovenia, existing confirmed export contracts include 18 units for Lithuania and 9 for Belgium. Additional reports mention potential orders from Croatia and Armenia, though unit numbers remain undisclosed.

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The production schedule is also impacted by France’s own military needs. In February 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces placed an order for 109 CAESAR Mk2 units—the largest domestic acquisition for the system to date.