France defence modernization initiatives

Timeline

1. 20 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   MBDA and Ariane Group vie for European Deep‑Strike missile programme

   MBDA and France’s Ariane Group are competing to develop European deep‑strike missiles, including a land‑cruise variant and conventional ballistic rockets, with talks slated for a Franco‑German defence council.

2. about 1 month ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   France commissions the Tourville nuclear attack submarine

   France adds the Tourville, a 99‑m Barracuda‑class nuclear attack submarine with enhanced stealth and months‑long underwater endurance, strengthening its naval security.

3. about 1 month ago

   [POLITICS] 2 sources

   France unveils new nuclear carrier France Libre, to enter service in 2038

   France announces the France Libre nuclear carrier, a 78,000‑ton ship to serve from 2038, promising 14,000 jobs but facing left‑wing criticism.

4. about 1 month ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources

   France to commission its largest nuclear aircraft carrier, France Libre, by 2038

   France will build the nuclear aircraft carrier France Libre, a 80,000‑ton ship with advanced launch systems, scheduled for service in 2038 and designed to boost maritime power and employment.

5. about 2 months ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources

   France selects MBDA and Safran for THUNDART long‑range rocket

   France’s defence agency has entered exclusive talks with MBDA and Safran to develop the THUNDART long‑range rocket, targeting a 150 km strike range by 2030 to replace the aging LRU system.

6. about 2 months ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   France advances sovereign defence capabilities with OneWeb satellite contract and Enbata drone

   France’s DGA signed a €350 million deal with Eutelsat for OneWeb satellite links and unveiled the Enbata MALE drone equipped with Thales’ AirMaster C radar, boosting sovereign defence capabilities.

7. about 2 months ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources

   France's hypersonic nuclear missile program and European drone production plans unveiled

   France commissions MBDA to build a hypersonic nuclear missile for service by 2035, while Renault‑Thales and Schaeffler‑Delair launch European drone production programs.

8. about 2 months ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   France moves forward with THUNDART long‑range missile system by MBDA and Safran

   MBDA and Safran are finalising a contract with France’s DGA for the THUNDART missile system, a 150‑km precision strike weapon slated for service by 2030 and built for export‑control autonomy.

9. about 2 months ago

   [POLITICS] 3 sources

   France picks Safran‑MBDA Thundart rocket as replacement for Army artillery

   France enters exclusive talks with Safran‑MBDA to supply the Thundart rocket, a 150‑km deep‑strike system set to replace the LRU artillery by 2030.

10. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

    France to Deploy Europe’s First Hypersonic Nuclear Missile ASN4G

    France is developing the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, a Mach 7 weapon set for Rafale integration by 2035, tied to Denmark’s 2026 nuclear‑deterrence pact.

11. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources

    France orders MBDA to develop ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile

    France has signed a contract with MBDA to develop the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, targeting service by 2035 with scram‑jet propulsion, Mach 6‑8 speed, >1 000 km range, and a major production boost.