The Ministry of the Armed Forces must announce by this summer which system will replace the aging unitary rocket launchers of the French army. While two sovereign offers are on the table, it is still possible that France may turn to a foreign supplier.
Between Safran-MBDA and Ariane-Thales, the race to equip the French army with new unitary rocket launchers is on. Both consortiums have responded to the FLP-T program (Long-Range Land Strike), launched in 2023 by the Directorate General of Armament. The goal is to replace the aging unitary rocket launchers, a modernized version of an American Lockheed Martin system capable of striking at 70 kilometers. The few systems still operational in the French arsenal will become obsolete by 2027.
The first to showcase their system were MBDA and Safran: on April 29, the duo announced the first demonstration firing of their Thundart system. It is a “all-terrain” launcher truck loaded with eight rockets, capable of traveling at 80 km/h. The objective is to “deliver the fire and be able to quickly change position”, according to Safran. This capability takes into account the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where artillery pieces can become easy targets for drones after firing. Another lesson from high-intensity conflicts is the omnipresence of jamming, with the system equipped with a guidance kit resistant to its effects.
A week later, Thales and ArianeGroup announced a successful test of a long-range ballistic missile. Key points highlighted by the two companies include the ability to extend the range to 2,500 kilometers and “the ability to deliver quickly and ramp up production”, according to Vincent Pery, defense program director at ArianeGroup. These are “very interesting tests,” praised Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin. However, it is not certain that France will choose either of these two projects.
Context:
– France is considering options to replace its aging unitary rocket launchers with modern systems.
Fact Check:
– The French Ministry of Armed Forces is evaluating different proposals from domestic and foreign suppliers for the replacement system.
The hypothesis of Himars
“I asked the DGA teams to evaluate what was on the shelf so that we have a very clear comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each element,” Catherine Vautrin warned on April 28, ensuring that she is “doing everything to have a sovereign solution.”
Beyond this issue, other criteria come into play for the Ministry of Armed Forces: “the demonstrated effectiveness, the price and the ability to deliver,” lists the Minister of the Armed Forces. This is why it is not ruled out that France may turn to a foreign supplier, dismissing sovereignty issues. Solutions exist from South Korea with the K239 Chunmo, as well as from the United States with the Himars from Lockheed Martin, already present in European arsenals and with solid battlefield experience. According to Challenges magazine, an offer from the United States has been submitted.
“The DGA is working with two groups of French companies to replace the LRU,” Catherine Vautrin reassured the senators on May 13.
Not enough to convince Cédric Perrin, senator from Territoire de Belfort and president of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee. After questioning Catherine Vautrin on the subject during government question time, he regrets to BFM Business of “not really having received an answer.”
“If France were to opt for Himars, even as an interim solution, it would be a ‘casus belli’ for the LR senator. According to him, “a capacity gap will occur in any case for the French army, so it is better to develop a French solution.” His concern: “having to seek authorization from Congress before striking” and an American offer that “sells dreams”, especially regarding deadlines.
For example, due to the conflicts in the Middle East, the United States will deliver their Himars to Estonia several months late. Other European countries, including Ukraine, could also be affected. For Catherine Vautrin, providing the army with the ability to strike deeply is a “priority” and essential, especially in light of “lessons learned from recent high-intensity conflicts.” Safran/MBDA, Thales/ArianeGroup, or a foreign system: the decision of the Minister of the Armed Forces must be known by the summer. The choice of an American project could cause a lot of discontent, as Emmanuel Macron has expressed a “European preference” for military purchases.
