France says it will sell CAESAR howitzers to Armenia

French army soldiers set up a French Caesar self-propelled howitzer during a demonstration at the Eurosatory international land and air defence and security trade fair in Villepinte, France, June 16, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

(Reuters) - France has signed a contract to sell CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Armenia, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday, as Yerevan deepens military ties with the West and moves away from its traditional ally Russia.

Lecornu posted on X that the contract was signed during a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan. He did not say how many systems Armenia would acquire.