The French Defense Innovation Agency (AID) says startups ThrustMe and ION-X will provide the on-orbit propulsion systems for its Toutatis demo due in 2027.
The French Air and Space Force plans to receive upgraded MBDA Mica NG air-to-air missiles in two years, without the need to modify the Rafales that carry them.
The ESA will request €600 million from member states at a ministerial council later this month for the first cargo mission of the Argonaut lunar lander.
France’s air chief is calling for more Rafales to form a dedicated nuclear squadron, which may ease training loads but create delivery schedule challenges.
Paris has given Thales the nod to provide the next-generation, ground-based Aurore space surveillance radar to track spacecraft and debris in low Earth orbit.
France’s Air and Space Force is studying how to separate the Dassault Rafale fighters and Airbus A330 multirole tanker transports it uses for nuclear deterrence from the rest of its fleets.