Thundart
MBDA-Safran 150km land strike system replacing France's LRU rocket launchers by 2030.
MBDA and Safran won DGA approval on 10 September 2026 to supply Thundart, a 150km strike system; until it arrives, the 1st Artillery Regiment is fielding stopgap loitering munitions, Opex360 reported in October.
Last refreshed: 26 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Will Thundart arrive before France's ageing rocket launchers run out?
Timeline for Thundart
Mentioned in: France orders more Damocles from KNDS
Drones: Industry & DefenceBackground
Thundart's timetable already shapes French Army planning. Pending its arrival, the 1st Artillery Regiment is standing up a loitering-munition battery, Opex360 reported in October 2026, while the DGA bought further Damocles drones. Between 2027 and 2030 the Army expects a temporary capability gap; work on a first tranche of 13 Thundart launchers has begun.
Thundart is the French Army's planned long-range land strike system. Paris entered exclusive talks with MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense in June 2026, two months after a demonstration firing, and the two firms announced DGA approval to supply it on 10 September 2026. They claim a 150 km reach, roughly twice the 80 km or so of the LRU launchers it succeeds, with inertial and satellite guidance hardened against jamming. A joint venture split 50/50 and based near Paris covers development, production, support and export versions.
Thundart is meant to replace France's handful of LRU launchers, a version of the US M270, by 2030. It keeps France's long-range rocket artillery in French hands rather than imported.
What is Thundart?
When will Thundart replace France's LRU rocket launchers?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.