France has selected the sovereign THUNDART system developed by MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense to renew its ground-launched long-range precision strike capability, the companies announced on Thursday.
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) notified the two companies of the selection as part of efforts to replace the Unitary Rocket Launcher (LRU), according to the statement.
THUNDART is designed to provide the French Army with a long-range precision strike capability suited to high-intensity conflicts and contested environments.
The system will be developed, produced and supported in France, with the companies saying it will provide the French Armed Forces with full autonomy of use by 2030.
Following an initial development phase that included a successful demonstration firing in April 2026, MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense will establish a 50-50 joint venture to oversee the next stages of the project.
The joint venture, which will be based in the Paris region, will manage THUNDART’s development, production and in-service support, as well as future upgrades and potential adaptation for other operational environments and allied export markets.
Alexandre Ziegler, head of Safran Electronics & Defense’s Defense Global Business Unit, said the selection reflected the complementary expertise of the two companies.
“Faced with the critical challenges of interference and denial of access to GNSS signals, Safran Electronics & Defense provides its proven leadership in inertial navigation and optronics technologies to ensure accuracy in all circumstances,” Ziegler said.
He said THUNDART would provide French forces with a “decisive and sovereign tactical advantage.”