Portugal is preparing to acquire CAESAR cannons from France and the KNDS company.
On October 26, 2024, France and Portugal formalized an agreement in Guarda, Portugal, for the collaborative purchase of CAESAR cannons, which are already beginning to be nicknamed “the king of cannons” with increased prestige since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Portugal is thus embarking on an additional stage of collaboration in defense matters with France and other European partners having already joined the club of buyers of this already ionic cannon.
Read also:
A strategic alliance around the CAESAR gun to strengthen European security
With this acquisition, Portugal joins Croatia, Estonia and France in a partnership aimed at improving the artillery capabilities of the participating nations. This agreement demonstrates the connections that exist within the EU between member states at a time when security in Europe and around the world is becoming increasingly precarious. This partnership is also supported by European funds through theEDIRPA (European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act)thus facilitating the acquisition of shared defensive capabilities.
India wants to acquire 12 “obsolete” French fighter planes from Qatar to replace its old MiGs while waiting for its own model
CAESAR: Why this choice?
CAESAR, acronym for “ Truck Equipped with an Artillery System“, is recognized for its exceptional mobility and shooting precision. This system, mounted on a truck chassis and capable of launching projectiles over distances of up to 40 kilometers, combines performance and speed of deployment, major assets on modern battlefields.
CAESAR technical specifications:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Armaments | 155 mm rifled cannon (range approximately 40 km). Each CAESAR carries 18 full shots. |
| Protections | Armor: the cabin benefits from ballistic protection up to 7.62 mm caliber. |
| Electronic systems | A human machine interface box (BIHM) which allows you to control the artillery piece. An inertial unit: terrestrial navigation and orientation system which provides highly precise orientation, as well as firing parameters. |
| Industrial | NEXTER for the artillery piece, RVI for the chassis. |
| Crew | 1 piece leader; 1 assistant/point shooter; 1 pilot / radio / pyrotechnician; 2 outfitters. |
| Dimensions | Length: 10 meters Height: 3.65 meters Width: 2.55 meters Empty mass: 15.9 tonnes Mass in combat order: greater than 17 tons. |
| Performances | Rate of fire: 6 rounds per minute Distance: more than 40 km Autonomies: 600 km Maximum road speed: 80 km/h Pente maximum : 40 % Maximum slope: 30% Ford crossing: 1.20 m Air transportable. |
Source : defense.gouv.fr
The role of the European Union and the financing of the project
The agreement benefits from a broader European framework, allowing financing via the EDIRPA programintended to support the consolidation of the European defense industry. This grant helps Member States acquire cutting-edge equipment while promoting essential interoperability during international operations under the auspices of the EU or NATO.
Impact and opportunities for Portugal
For Portugal, integrating this partnership represents a major step forward in the modernization of its armed forces. In addition to improving its rapid reaction capacity, essential in current conflicts, Portugal benefits from reinforced integration within European defense mechanisms. This partnership also offers it the opportunity to participate in joint training and exercises, crucial to maintaining a robust defense in line with European standards.
What next for other European countries?
This pioneering agreement between France and Portugal could encourage other European nations to imitate the Lusitanian nation. The CAESAR gun benefited from an unexpected spotlight with the conflict in Ukraine and seems to follow a similar path to the famous Exocet (French torpedo which benefited from the Falklands War to fill its order books). The “king of cannons” could therefore become a real commercial success for France in the years to come, especially since other countries have already expressed an interest in joining this cooperation in the near future.
France is the 4th nation in the world in number of nuclear warheads with a fleet estimated at 3% of the world total thanks to 2 types of high-tech missiles
This article explores the recent partnership between France and Portugal around CAESAR guns, highlighting the importance of this collaboration in the context of European defense. By adopting a common approach, these countries are not only strengthening their military capabilities – they are also defining the contours of stronger European security cooperation.
Source: French Embassy in Portugal
Post Views: 28
As a young independent media, secret-defense.org needs your help. Support us by following and bookmarking us on Google News. THANKS !
Follow us on Google News
