In a strategic move aimed at bolstering the continent’s defensive autonomy, France has entered into exclusive negotiations with industry giants MBDA and Safran for the procurement of a new long-range artillery system. The announcement, made at the opening of the Eurosatory exhibition, marks Paris’s decision to replace its aging fleet of Lance Roquettes Unitaire (LRU) vehicles with a domestic solution, highlighting the imperative to invest in the European defense industry.
A bet on continental industry over the American HIMARS offer
With this decision, French officials have effectively sidelined the American HIMARS alternative proposed by Lockheed Martin. Although the US offer promised extremely short delivery times to prevent a capability gap, France chose to „bet on Europe.” The message is clear: harmonizing military needs and concentrating investments within European borders is the only sustainable path for the state’s long-term security.
Thundart: A supersonic force capable of striking beyond 1,000 kilometers
The centerpiece of the new fire strategy is the Thundart system. According to technical specifications, it offers an initial range of 150 km, but its capabilities can be spectacularly extended to over 1,000 km through the integration of Land Cruise Missiles. Furthermore, the system is designed to reach high supersonic speeds, with the first live-fire tests already successfully conducted this spring. The first deliveries under the Frappe Longue Portée – Terre (FLP-T) program are expected as early as 2029.
The timeline dilemma and the risk of a capability gap after 2027
Despite the technological advancement, choosing a sovereign solution is not without logistical risks. The current LRU fleet is scheduled to be retired starting in 2027, creating a critical two-year window until the new missiles enter service in 2029. Military experts warn that, unlike the American solutions already in production, the Franco-Thales offering must undergo manufacturing stages from scratch, putting pressure on the modernization pace of the French army in an increasingly tense international context.
