France Eyes Homegrown Artillery System to Compete with HIMARS by 2026
**France is gearing up to test its domestically developed artillery system, aiming to rival the U.S. HIMARS by mid-2026.** According to reports from Defense News, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed that efforts are underway to finalize the technical solutions necessary for a trial launch within the next year.
To facilitate this ambitious plan, the DGA is partnering with a consortium that includes industry giants Safran and MBDA, as well as another group composed of Thales and ArianeGroup. Together, they are working on developing a tactical strike capability that can reach distances of 150 kilometers, or approximately 93 miles.
In addition to this new development, France plans to modernize its existing nine Lance-Roquettes Unitaire (LRU) systems. These upgraded models of the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) are expected to retire by 2027, so aligning their upgrade with the new system is seen as a priority.
Despite a pressing need for enhanced artillery capabilities, French lawmakers and military officials are emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency in defense. They advocate for a domestic alternative rather than procuring systems from abroad, in line with France’s policy of autonomy in military matters.
Léo Péria-Peigné, a specialist in weaponry at the French Institute of International Relations, pointed out that while the immediate need for a new system might be tempered by the fact that similar artillery capabilities have seen little use in the past three decades, the imminent phase-out of the LRU systems signifies a pivotal moment for France’s defense capacity.
The 2024-2030 Military Programming Law (LPM) underlines this commitment by allocating a budget of 600 million euros, approximately 663 million dollars, for the Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre (FLP-T) artillery program. The objective is to procure at least 13 systems by 2030 and 26 to fully equip a battalion by 2035.
In a joint statement to Defense News, Safran and MBDA has assured that they are on track with the DGA’s ambitious schedule, targeting a test launch by mid-2026. Meanwhile, Thales and ArianeGroup refrained from commenting on specific timelines but confirmed their collaborative efforts in devising a suitable solution for French armed forces.
The FLP-T rocket model was notably showcased by MBDA and Safran at the Eurosatory 2024 Fair, signaling strong confidence in France’s artillery future. Additionally, reports indicate that France is ramping up production of its CAESAR howitzer while also engaging in discussions with India regarding potential MLRS procurements.
