Ukraine's artillery needs are being addressed with the delivery of 49 CAESAr 155mm artillery system trucks by the end of 2023. The majority of these come from the French army, with Denmark also contributing. Nexter, a French company, will provide an additional six units. This article explores the effectiveness of these artillery systems and future plans.
Artillery Losses and Replacements
Since the inception of the war, the Ukrainian army has lost 338 self-propelled howitzers. The losses include 5 CAESAr (four 6×6 and one 8×8), 23 ASH Krab, and 43 M109. Furthermore, out of the 20 AS-90 supplied by the UK, a quarter have sustained irreversible damage.
Performance of CAESAr Units
France and Denmark have provided CAESAr units, of which less than 10% have been lost according to Nexter. This is a significant contrast to the almost 30% loss rate of other systems. The high mobility of CAESAr units is seen as the primary reason for the reduced loss rate. The units can fire six shells in a minute and then withdraw to a safer position. This quick maneuverability is their primary defense, enabling them to avoid counter-battery fire.
Future Deliveries and Enhancements
Nexter currently produces six CAESAr units per month for Ukraine and to restock the French army. They plan to ramp up this production rate. Furthermore, Ukraine is set to receive an additional 72 CAESAr units, funded by France and Denmark. These units are on top of the six that have reportedly already made their way to Kiev.
Future upgrades to the CAESAr system intend on enhancing its precision with the aid of artificial intelligence. This improvement will cut down on the use of 155mm shells. Interestingly, the Russian forces have an upper hand over the Ukrainians in the use of these shells, with a firing rate ratio of 1:6.