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The Thundart system at Eurosatory 2026.
PARIS—The French government has named a team of MBDA and Safran as the preferred bidder to develop a 150-km (93-mi.)-range rocket artillery system.
The two companies on June 16 said they were in final contract talks with French procurement agency DGA to develop and field their Thundart system for operational availability in 2030 to replace the French LRU system.
The industrial pair said they would now establish an equally owned joint venture to support the program and its evolution, including for longer ranges. The companies also said they would scale up industrial efforts across France.
MBDA and Safran added that they expect to secure exports of the system, noting their munition pod could be used on other vehicles.
Safran is developing the launcher, supported by others. MBDA’s Roxel unit would provide the motor.
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