Armenia has displayed for the first time the CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems supplied by France during rehearsals for the Republic Day parade, scheduled for May 28 in Yerevan.
The presence of the French howitzers symbolizes an important shift in the modernization of the Armenian Armed Forces, which traditionally used equipment of Russian origin.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had previously stated that the event would serve as a public demonstration of the military reforms implemented by his government. The display of Western systems comes amid Armenia’s efforts to rebuild its defense capabilities after the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan in 2023, an episode that exposed weaknesses in Armenia’s arsenal and shook its strategic relationship with Moscow.
Developed by the French company Nexter, now part of the KNDS group, the CAESAR is a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer capable of firing NATO-standard ammunition at distances of more than 40 kilometers. The system is known for its high mobility and its ability to quickly change position after firing, reducing the risk of enemy counter-battery strikes.
The delivery of the weapon system also carries strong political significance. The CAESAR gained international prominence for its use in Ukraine against Russian forces, becoming a symbol of Western military support. By supplying the same system to Armenia, France expands its strategic cooperation with Yerevan and reinforces the Caucasian country’s rapprochement with European partners and military structures linked to NATO standards.
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Source: Defence Blog | Photo: Instagram @nikolpashinyan_official | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
