France's KNDS to Supply New 40mm Telescoped Ammunition for Jaguar Vehicles and Navy RapidFire Systems.

On June 16, 2025, the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) awarded a €150 million contract to KNDS for the supply of new-generation 40mm telescoped ammunition, supporting both land and naval platforms. This ammunition will equip the French Army’s Jaguar armored vehicles and the French Navy’s RapidFire close-in defense systems. As reported by the DGA on June 19, 2025, the deal strengthens France’s industrial base and reinforces its defense readiness through a strategic dual-source supply chain with the United Kingdom. The initiative marks a decisive move toward a more compact, powerful, and integrated firepower standard.
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By enabling the production of advanced 40mm telescoped ammunition for two high-value platforms, the Jaguar and RapidFire, France is reinforcing its cross-domain lethality while securing strategic industrial sovereignty (Picture source: KNDS)

The 40mm telescoped ammunition developed by KNDS is a compact, high-efficiency medium-caliber round designed specifically for the CTA40 automatic cannon. This cannon is mounted on two different French platforms: the EBRC Jaguar armored reconnaissance vehicle and the RapidFire close-in weapon system deployed by the French Navy. Unlike traditional munitions, this round’s projectile is entirely encased within the shell casing, reducing its volume while increasing internal payload. The result is a lighter, more compact munition that allows vehicles and turrets to carry more rounds without compromising firepower. The Jaguar uses this technology to enhance battlefield lethality in reconnaissance and combat roles, while the RapidFire system uses it for close-range air defense against drones, missiles, and fast attack craft. The 40mm CTA system represents a critical capability in both the SCORPION land program and the Navy's multi-layered defense architecture.

The development of 40mm telescoped ammunition stems from the longstanding Franco-British industrial collaboration through CTA International, a joint venture between KNDS and BAE Systems. Initially developed for modern wheeled combat vehicles, the CTA40 system was later integrated into naval applications. Over the past decade, the ammunition has been qualified and tested under multiple configurations. The new contract from the DGA supports a full-rate production model beginning in 2026, with a first order of 25,000 rounds. The deal also enables the creation of a robust French supply chain with component manufacturing in Haute-Savoie, the Hautes-Pyrénées, Cher, and Manche, reducing dependence on foreign sources while complementing British production capacity.

Compared to conventional 30mm or 35mm rounds, the 40mm CTA ammunition offers significantly better armor penetration, higher payload-to-size ratio, and the ability to integrate programmable airburst fuzes. These features outperform legacy systems like the 35mm Oerlikon or Bofors 40mm L/70 in modern tactical scenarios. The telescoped design further allows for smaller, more agile turret profiles, giving platforms like Jaguar a distinct edge in mobility and survivability. When compared to traditional naval gun systems, RapidFire’s use of this ammunition enables higher engagement precision against fast-moving aerial threats, making it ideal for littoral and expeditionary missions.

Strategically, the standardized use of 40mm CTA ammunition across land and naval forces enhances operational interoperability, streamlines logistics, and provides scalable response options against both symmetric and asymmetric threats. From a geopolitical perspective, the program strengthens European defense industrial autonomy while reaffirming Franco-British defense cooperation in the post-Brexit landscape. Militarily, the ammunition equips France with a cutting-edge medium-caliber solution adaptable to drone warfare, urban combat, and maritime area denial operations.

With an allocated budget of €150 million over five years, the contract includes recurring annual deliveries and establishes a long-term industrial commitment. While the first confirmed client remains the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the CTA40 system’s interoperability potential positions it well for future exports, especially among NATO allies using similar turret configurations. The contract formalizes a dual-supply strategy that not only secures France’s stocks but enhances production resilience for both domestic and allied markets.

This latest development confirms KNDS’s central role in the modernization of European medium-caliber armament. By enabling the production of advanced 40mm telescoped ammunition for two high-value platforms, the Jaguar and RapidFire, France is reinforcing its cross-domain lethality while securing strategic industrial sovereignty.