French ZAK RapidFire and its variants
The first version of the RapidFire self-propelled anti-aircraft gun on a three-axle Unimog chassis. Photo by Armyrecognition.com
Several years ago, the French military industry presented a promising anti-aircraft artillery RapidFire complex. It was further developed and improved. Various options for mounting the combat module on various carriers were proposed. Some of them have already been brought to serial production.
Exhibition sample
The RapidFire anti-aircraft artillery system (AAAS) was developed by the French companies Nexter (later KNDS France) and Thales Group with the participation of the British CTA International. Work began at the beginning of the last decade, and after several years, they reached the testing of experimental equipment.
The first version of the project proposed the creation of a ZAK with a 40-mm gun on a wheeled automobile chassis. Such a combat vehicle was proposed as a means Defense close-range missile system, complementing other anti-aircraft systems. It was already noted then that the complex's targets would include unmanned aerial vehicles.
At the turn of the 1910s and 1920s, the RapidFire project underwent revision aimed at improving its main characteristics. In addition, a new version of the ZAK was created, designed for fleet. The official presentation of this product took place at the Euronaval 2022 exhibition. The pavilion presented the complex in the form of a combat module and related equipment designed for installation on surface platforms.
Control panel in the car cabin. Photo Armyrecognition.com
During the first shows, the developer companies revealed the general appearance of the new complex, and also named its features and main characteristics. It was also reported that the RapidFire project has great potential for development. First of all, it was planned to continue developing the ground version of the complex.
It was also reported that the new ZAK had attracted the interest of its first buyers. Negotiations were held, and contracts were expected to be signed as a result. The French armed forces, both the navy and the army, were considered as the main customer. At the same time, they wanted to receive export orders, which could be facilitated by a contract with their own Ministry of Defense.
Thales and KNDS France subsequently showed the RapidFire ZAK at other exhibitions on numerous occasions. They revealed details of the latest work and published other information. In addition, small and full-size mock-ups of interest were regularly shown. They were used as an example to show how the system might look in different versions.
For example, new land-based versions of the ZAK were shown at exhibitions in recent months. One of them was made as a stationary platform with all the necessary equipment. The second had a similar appearance, but was mounted on a serial automobile chassis.
ZAK based on the TITUS armored vehicle. Telegram graphics / Vestnik PVO
Buyers' interest
Back in the mid-1910s, the experienced RapidFire ZAK demonstrated its combat capabilities in combating various targets, including the most complex ones. It received high marks, but this did not help in quickly receiving orders.
The first contract for the delivery of the systems was obtained only a few years ago. The initial customer, as expected, was the French military department. The first contract provides for the production of 14 naval systems. According to known data, KNDS France and Thales have fulfilled about half of the order to date.
Some of the new ZAKs are intended for the French Navy's Jacques Chevallier-class tankers under construction. The Jacques Chevallier and Jacques Stosskopf have already received two of these products. The lead tanker was accepted into service last year, and the second will begin service this year. There are also plans to build two more, on which the next four RapidFires will be installed.
The remaining seven systems are intended for ships of other types. At the same time, the full list of future ZAK carriers has not yet been disclosed. It is also not specified whether the Navy will limit itself to only 14 systems or will place additional orders in the future.
It has recently become known that the Ministry of Defense plans to order another 34 systems, now for the ground forces. In the near future, the corresponding modifications of RapidFire will undergo military testing, based on the results of which a decision on adoption is expected. It is still unclear which version of the ZAK the army will choose.
Ship complex. Photo European Defence Review
In parallel, issues of supplying new 40-mm rounds for artillery systems are being resolved. On June 16, 2025, the military department and KNDS France signed a contract for the supply of an unspecified quantity of ammunition for a total of 150 million euros. The first batch of 26 thousand rounds will be shipped next year. Since we are talking about a new system, 18 thousand shells will be training, and only 8 thousand will be combat. The contract will be implemented over five years and will fill the arsenals of the ground forces and navy.
Representatives of third countries who visited the exhibitions showed interest in the RapidFire ZAK. However, no export orders have been received yet. There is also no information about negotiations with potential buyers.
Unified module
The RapidFire system includes a remotely controlled combat module-turret with an automatic cannon and a set of auxiliary systems. Depending on the system design, they can be placed on a single platform or chassis, or on the deck and in the below-deck spaces of the ship.
The turret module is built in an armored hull that protects against bullets and shrapnel. In the center of the module is a swinging artillery unit, and on the sides are compartments for ammunition and other equipment. The design provides all-round horizontal guidance (in the absence of interference) and significant elevation angles.
RapidFire in the platform variant. Photo by KNDS France / Thales Group
The system is armed with a 40CT gun from CTA International. This is a 40 mm automatic gun with a 70 caliber barrel and a rate of fire of up to 200 rounds per minute. The gun uses an original family of 40x225 mm telescopic rounds. It includes armor-piercing, high-explosive fragmentation with air bursting and practice rounds.
When firing at air targets, the effective fire range reaches 4 km. Shooting at ground targets, depending on various factors, is carried out from a distance of up to 2,5-3 km. The ammunition load includes 70 rounds, but the turret design allows it to be doubled.
It was previously reported that the artillery system could be supplemented rocketsIn particular, they showed images and models of RapidFire with a launcher for the Starstreak MANPADS.
A mobile optical-electronic station is mounted directly on the module, performing the functions of a sight. It is equipped with day, night and laser rangefinder channels. The video signal and other data are transmitted via cable to the operator's console.
The control panel is mounted in a separate room or in the cabin. It has monitors for displaying information and controls. A full-fledged fire control system based on a multifunctional computer is used. "RapidFire" can operate independently or with third-party target designation.
New version of the self-propelled complex. Photo by KNDS France / Thales Group
On different platforms
Over the years, Nexter/KNDS France and Thales Group have shown several variants of artillery systems based on the RapidFire module. They were based on different platforms, and this led to significant differences in design, layout, etc.
The first to be presented in 2014 was a combat vehicle on a three-axle Unimog chassis. The vehicle had a platform body with jacks and a combat module. The power supply system and other units were located inside the platform. The operator console was placed in the standard vehicle cabin.
Later, images of an anti-aircraft self-propelled gun based on the TITUS armored car were demonstrated. To install the module, the rear of the vehicle was converted into a horizontal platform. The operator's workplace was again placed in the cabin.
The ship version of the module is placed on the deck on a rectangular base that accommodates some of the necessary devices. The ZAK is connected to the ship's power system and does not require its own power source. The operator's console is mounted on the bridge.
The stationary modification of RapidFire is made on a platform and has the dimensions of a 20-foot container. The platform carries a base with a tower, as well as a set of smaller hulls with a generator and other devices. The control panel is made separately. The platform with an anti-aircraft gun can be transported by suitable trucks and installed in position in a minimum time.
Model of a self-propelled ZAK at one of the recent exhibitions. Photo Armyrecognition.com
This year, a self-propelled version of such a ZAK was also shown. In this case, the platform with weapons is mounted on a vehicle, and the operator's console is placed in its cabin. Combat work is carried out directly "from the wheels". At the same time, the possibility of lowering the platform to the ground for work in a stationary version is probably not excluded.
From project to series
The first version of the promising RapidFire ZAK was presented in the middle of the last decade. It was subsequently repeatedly improved, and new options for use were also proposed. In general, work on the complex was significantly delayed, and the first order for serial production appeared only recently. Several products have already been delivered to the customer, and new ones are expected to be transferred in the near future.
It is easy to see that the work on the complex was seriously delayed. The overall complexity, difficulties of subcontractors in creating the gun, etc. affected the timing of its implementation. In addition, potential customers did not understand the concept of a ZAK with a 40-mm gun. However, by now all issues have been successfully resolved, as a result of which KNDS France and Thales are launching serial production.
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