France is preparing to test a domestically developed rocket artillery system by mid-2026 as part of the FLP-T (Frappe Longue Portée – Terrestre) program, intended to replace the French Army’s nine remaining Lance-Roquettes Unitaire (LRU) systems. The information was confirmed by the French Directorate General for Armament (DGA) in a written response to Defense News. This initiative aims to provide a European alternative to the U.S.-made HIMARS while reinforcing France’s defense industrial sovereignty in long-range strike capabilities.
The FLP-T program was launched through an innovation partnership agreement signed in November 2023 between the DGA and two industrial consortiums: one composed of Safran and MBDA, the other of Thales and ArianeGroup. Both groups are working on artillery systems with a 150-kilometer strike range, with long-term potential extensions to 500 or even 1,000 kilometers. The original timeline, confirmed by DGA head Emmanuel Chiva during a parliamentary hearing, aimed for an initial procurement by late 2025. However, demonstration test firings by the competing systems are now expected no earlier than mid-2026.
The solution developed by MBDA and Safran, named Thundart, was unveiled as a mock-up at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in June 2024. This 227mm guided rocket system is based on what the companies describe as mature subsystems and will be assembled in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The design leverages common components with Safran’s AASM Hammer guided bomb and could reach an initial operational capability before 2030. Additionally, MBDA has proposed a land-based cruise missile derived from the Naval Cruise Missile (MdCN) as a complementary solution for long-range strikes under the European Long-range Strike Approach (ELSA). ArianeGroup and MBDA are also examining the future integration of hypersonic missiles into the FLP-T framework, with a horizon beyond 2035.
Thales and ArianeGroup, while more reserved in their communication, confirmed they are jointly working on a sovereign fire-support system capable of engaging high-value targets. According to the DGA, each consortium will carry out a firing of its prototype, after which a selection will be made. The innovation partnership contract allows the DGA to procure the selected system without a new tender, provided the performance criteria are met.