Safran and MBDA challenge Thales and ArianeGroup for Development of New French MLRS.

As part of its military capabilities modernization, France is actively seeking a successor to the LRU M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) currently in service, as reported by La Lettre on May 13, 2024. In response to this call for tenders issued by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), Thales has announced its alliance with ArianeGroup to propose a long-range artillery solution. This new partnership faces competition from the tandem formed by Safran and MBDA.
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The LRU M270, or Lance-Roquettes Unitaire, is the French modernized version of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270, initially developed in the United States (Picture source: French MoD)

General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the Army, presented the requirements for the new system in November, which is set to replace the nine remaining LRU units after six were given to Ukraine, during a session of the National Assembly's Defense Committee. Currently capable of hitting targets at a distance of 70 km, these systems will now need to reach distances of 120 to 150 km, or even up to 500 km.

The LRU M270, or Lance-Roquettes Unitaire, is the French modernized version of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270, initially developed in the United States. Production began in the 1980s and it was introduced into the French Army in the early 1990s. The system was upgraded to become the LRU, incorporating technological improvements to meet contemporary needs.

The LRU can launch guided rockets to a maximum distance of 70 km, providing precise and rapid firepower. It is mounted on a tracked chassis, giving it mobility over various terrains. The system is designed to deliver long-range artillery strikes, allowing for the neutralization of strategic targets while maintaining a safe distance. However, the French Army is now seeking a more advanced system capable of reaching targets up to 500 km, in response to evolving military needs.

Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has expressed a preference for developing a sovereign system but has not ruled out acquiring the American HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). The timeline for development and the added value of this French solution compared to the many market alternatives remain open questions.

The Military Programming Law (LPM) 2024-2030, adopted in July, allocates 600 million euros for the acquisition of 13 long-range artillery systems by 2030, with a total of 26 systems by 2035. For the 2024 fiscal year, the finance bill plans to commit 124 million euros to the FLP-T program and to start the implementation phase in 2025.

In October 2023, the DGA announced the launch of an innovation partnership for this future strike capability. This process includes three phases: notification of research and development contracts to interested manufacturers, elimination of less promising solutions, and a final competition among the selected options, leading to an order for the most effective solution.

The ambition of this program goes beyond simply replacing the LRU, aiming to equip the Army with very long-range strike capabilities. In May 2023, Emmanuel Chiva, Director General of Armaments, mentioned MBDA, Safran, and ArianeGroup as potential manufacturers for this project.

Since then, Safran and MBDA have presented a concept based on a ground-to-ground version of the Modular Air-to-Ground Armament (A2SM), also known as Hammer. Thales and ArianeGroup, on the other hand, will focus on command and control elements as well as the guidance and navigation system, while ArianeGroup will develop the munition. This munition could take the form of a tactical semi-ballistic missile, similar to the MGM-140 ATACMS used by HIMARS.

The LPM 2024-2030 plans to equip the Army with at least 13 long-range strike systems by 2030, with 13 more to follow. A budget of 600 million euros has been allocated for this purpose, including 124 million euros for the 2024 fiscal year, highlighting the strategic importance of this project for French defense.