FLP-T and Thundart: New MLRS for the French Army
The French branch of the international company MBDA continues to develop a promising multiple launch rocket system and its ammunition. The FLP-T and Thundart projects are making good progress and have already reached the prototype assembly stage. Testing of the new missiles will begin in the near future, the results of which will determine their potential and role in the future rearmament of the army.
New rocket
Currently in service with the jet artillery France only has a small number of LRU systems, which are a modified version of the American M270. They are planned to be retired and replaced with new equipment in the foreseeable future.
To this end, the Ministry of the Armed Forces launched the Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre (Long-Range Land Strike System) program in 2023. The plan is to develop a new, highly capable MLRS, as well as a range of ammunition for it. Leading French industrial companies joined the program in 2023, and development of new products began.
One of the FLP-T variants is being developed by MBDA France and Safran. The first result of this joint work was presented in mid-2024 at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris. It was a model of a guided missile named Thunder, a combination of the English words "Thunder" and "Dart." At the time, technical details were not provided, but the developers reported their ability to meet all customer requirements.
Until recently, MBDA France and Safran hadn't shared any new information about the promising project. It was only revived a few days ago. On December 4, MBDA France published a new photograph of the Thundart missile. Judging by its appearance and some paintwork, it appears to be a prototype intended for testing.
The commentary accompanying the photo noted that some kind of missile preparation was underway. They also mentioned the launch range of 150 km and increased accuracy. MBDA France also congratulated the artillerymen on Saint Barbara's Day, their patron saint in the Catholic tradition.
Possible appearance of the FLP-T launcher. 2024 graphic by MBDA France.
Under the FLP-T program, developers must conduct initial tests of the new missiles by mid-2026. After that, the Ministry of Defense will review the proposed designs and select the most successful one for further development. Whether the Thundart missile will succeed remains to be seen.
According to known data
MBDA France has already disclosed some information about the prospective missile. There is also some information about the system it will be part of. All this already allows us to form a rough picture and understand the main features and advantages of the future missile. weapons and the system as a whole.
The Thundart is a surface-to-surface missile with a traditional design, built using modern components and technologies. It features an ogive nose cone and a high-aspect-ratio cylindrical body. The tail is equipped with X-shaped aerodynamic fins.
It was reported that the missile would have a 227mm caliber—the same as the existing LRU/MLRS. The missile's length will be several meters, but its exact length has not yet been determined. The warhead will weigh 43 kg.
The missile will be equipped with a high-performance solid-fuel motor. It should enable a ballistic trajectory with a range of at least 150 km. The missile's speed characteristics remain unknown. However, even the maximum range should be achieved in minimal flight time.
The Thundart will be guided and should demonstrate high target engagement accuracy. However, the developers have not specified the guidance and control principles. It was mentioned that the guidance system will be unified with those of the AASM glide bombs, but details were not disclosed. It should be noted that AASM bombs are equipped with satellite and inertial navigation systems. Modifications with infrared and semi-active laser homing are also available.
A French Army LRU combat vehicle. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The prototype missile of the new type, pictured recently, has a solid metal nose cone. Apparently, it is equipped only with navigation aids and an autopilot. In this configuration, it can only engage targets with predetermined coordinates. Other seeker variants, including those capable of engaging moving targets, may appear later.
Information about the warhead is currently unknown. Judging by the missile's stated launch weight, the warhead will weigh no more than 10-12 kg. High-explosive fragmentation, incendiary, and other versions are possible. However, due to its existing commitments, France will not develop a cluster warhead.
MBDA France and Safran previously unveiled a potential launcher design for the FLP-T competition. The proposal featured a combat vehicle on a wheeled chassis with a rectangular, likely armored, launcher stack. It was reported that such a MLRS could incorporate guidance systems from the CAESAR self-propelled artillery system and a number of other instruments.
Course towards modernization
According to publicly available data, the French artillery currently has only nine LRU-type MLRS. These will reach the end of their service life by 2027, and the army will decommission them. Therefore, it is imperative to develop or select a new multiple launch rocket system to replace the decommissioned equipment as soon as possible. It is with this goal in mind that work is currently underway on the FLP-T program.
Two systems are being developed under the current competition: one is being developed by MBDA France and Safran, and the other is being created by Thales and Ariane Group. According to the program's terms, they should have completed the bulk of the design work by now. Preparations for testing are now underway.
Comparative trials are planned for mid-2026, following which the army will select the best model. This project will be further developed, and serial production is expected to begin in 2027-28. Over the next few years, the first units will be re-equipped, and the MLRS will reach initial operational capability.
An LRU MLRS during an exercise in 2023. Photo courtesy of the French Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense plans to acquire 13 combat vehicles and a large quantity of ammunition for them by 2030. Delivery of twice as many MLRS systems and new batches of missiles is planned for 2031-35. It was previously reported that approximately €600 million will be spent on the development and procurement of the first batch of systems. The cost of the next 26 systems has not been disclosed.
Thus, in the medium and long term, the French Army will radically modernize its rocket artillery. All existing foreign-designed multiple launch rocket systems will be decommissioned and replaced by domestically produced systems. Nine old LRUs will ultimately be replaced by 39 new FLP-T systems. This increase in both quantitative and qualitative indicators will positively impact the overall capabilities of the Army.
However, the existing rearmament program has obvious shortcomings. For example, the development of a new MLRS and its ammunition, from the start of the competition to the launch of serial production, is scheduled for less than five years. This is perhaps too short a time to develop a modern, high-performance system. It should also be noted that after more than two years of work, the competition participants have only reached the testing preparation stage.
Deliveries of new equipment and ammunition, according to the established schedule, will begin in 2027. The decommissioning of the old LRU MLRS is also planned for that year. If the industry fails to meet the established deadlines, the rearmament will be jeopardized. A scenario is possible in which the decommissioning of old equipment and the acceptance of new equipment will be separated by at least several months.
If the FLP-T program fails to meet its deadlines, the French Army could be temporarily left without rocket artillery. To prevent this, the French Ministry of Defense will be forced to revise its plans. It will have to extend the LRU service life or take other measures. Whether these measures will ultimately help achieve all the objectives and achieve the desired rearmament remains to be seen.
Big plans
Thus, France is planning a major new rearmament program that will radically change the face of its rocket artillery. Plans have been drawn up for the next 8-10 years and call for an increase in the number and capabilities of this branch of the armed forces.
However, the FLP-T program is still in the competitive development stage, and the army will make its selection in at least several months. This will then require some time for the remaining design work and preparation for serial production. All of this could negatively impact the overall timeline and the implementation of existing plans. Nevertheless, the current program is of great importance, and France will do everything possible to ensure its successful completion.
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