Ukraine to receive a new batch of Caesar self-propelled howitzers in the coming weeks

The next batch of military aid from France, including Caesar self-propelled howitzers, will be arriving in Ukraine in the coming weeks.

This was announced by Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to France, on the air of a nationwide telethon, Ukrinform reports.

The exact date of transfer is not specified for security and logistical reasons.

He noted that Ukraine will soon be receiving the military aid announced by Emmanuel Macron. This would cover Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

“France has been helping since the beginning, however, there was a single condition – not to disclose it. This is caused by safety and logistics considerations. Assistance will be arriving in the coming weeks. Some of the equipment declared is already on the territory of Ukraine,” Omelchenko noted.

As previously reported, on June 30, the French President announced the transfer of six additional wheeled 155-mm Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. According to Macron, Ukraine will also receive a “significant number” of armored vehicles.

As reported previously, Sébastien Lecornu, French Defense Minister, stated that France would be transferring “significant quantities” of French-made armored personnel carriers and support vehicles to Ukraine. This would cover the VAB-type transport vehicles.

The VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé – “Armoured Vanguard Vehicle”) is a French armored personnel carrier and support vehicle developed by the French manufacturers Renault and Saviem. Serial production has been ongoing since the mid-70s.

Open data suggests that 5,000 of these vehicles were produced, and 4,000 of them are in service of the French army. VAB is also in service with 15 other countries.

There are several configurations of VAB vehicles – for command, reconnaissance, and sanitary purposes.

Most often, the vehicle is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun for infantry vehicles or a 7.62 mm machine gun on the roof for other models. Also, the VAB can be equipped with a turret with a 20 or 25 × 137 mm machine gun.

VAB HOT missile launcher can be equipped with a rocket launcher.