Media: Armenia buys 36 CAESAR artillery units from France amid supply challenges

Armenia has purchased 36 CAESAR self-propelled artillery units from France, which caused great joy within the country.

These advanced howitzers are praised for their long-range capabilities, flexible fire control system, and high accuracy, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian Hraparak newspaper.

However, experts caution that signing a contract is just the first step; actually supplying and integrating these units into Armenia's military poses significant challenges, the newspaper says.

Moreover, the newspaper highlights several logistical and operational hurdles: "In addition, there must be personnel capable of using artillery devices, you need to integrate them into your system. At least 2,000-3,000 shells are needed for each artillery device, and according to NATO standards - 6,000 shells. In other words, if there are 30 cannons, there should be 180,000 shells," the publication notes.

Caliber.Az editorial office adds that the army depots in Armenia do not have ammunition of the NATO 155mm calibre. They will have to be purchased from the West. However, Europe faces production constraints in manufacturing the required ammunition and gunpowder. In March, the AFP news agency reported that French President Emmanuel Macron admitted to the lack of gunpowder to increase the production of artillery shells as part of military aid to Ukraine. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, production of Western-calibre ammunition has grown less than expected due to uncertainty over guarantees of long-term financing as well as rapidly rising prices.

It is absolutely unclear who will be able to sell these ammunitions to Armenia, given the general shortage of 155mm shells. One thing is certain: the price for these ammunitions will be "golden" for Armenia.