Denmark has decided to send 19 French-made Caesar artillery mounts to Ukraine.
Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen after meeting at the Foreign Policy Council confirmed the provision of military assistance.
This is a very big and significant help. We have been in constant contact with the Ukrainians about the Caesar artillery, and I am glad that now we have received the broad support of the Danish parliament to transfer it to the fight for the freedom of Ukraine,” the minister said.
The government decided to transfer all 19 Caesar howitzers, which were pre-ordered in France. According to the Minister of Defense, this decision was supported by the entire Foreign Policy Council.
The fact that Ukraine will receive 19 howitzers was also announced by the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak. As usual, he “encrypted” the message in emoji.
Denmark faced a dilemma
Ukraine's request has left Danish politicians in a dilemma, as the weapons system is also important to Danish defense for the creation of the 4,000-strong 1st Brigade, which Denmark has pledged to NATO.
The transfer of howitzers will include a package of training and educational programs for the Ukrainian military.
The Danish Defense Ministry acquired 15 artillery systems, which were transferred in 2020, as well as 4 more, the deliveries of which are scheduled for 2023.
Reference. The self-propelled artillery installation “Caesar” (Caesar) is a very “fresh” development of the French company Nexter. The first vehicles of this series were provided to the French army in 2002 on the basis of the Unimog vehicle, and since 2011 they have been produced on the Renault Sherpa 10 (6 × 6) wheeled chassis.
Among the advantages of self-propelled guns are high mobility, considerable range shooting, low maintenance. The cost of the Caesar self-propelled guns is from 2.9 to 5.2 million US dollars.
Note that earlier Denmark announced the allocation of almost 43 million dollars of financial assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
