France orders Thundart long-range rocket system

The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded a contract to MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense for the Thundart long-range guided rocket system. This system is selected to replace the French Army’s current M270-derived Lance-Roquettes Unitaire (LRU) launchers.

To manage the development, production, and support of Thundart, MBDA and Safran will establish a 50/50 joint venture in the Paris region, expected to be created in January 2027. The system is intended to be designed, developed, and produced entirely in France, aiming to provide the French armed forces with full autonomy of use by 2030.

The military programming law (LPM) for 2024-2030 calls for at least 13 systems by 2030 and 26 by 2035. This procurement follows the donation of several existing LRU launchers to Ukraine.