France is set to debut a domestically developed multiple launch rocket system named Foudre at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget from 16 to 22 June. The new artillery platform, produced by French defence company Turgis Gaillard, is positioned as a homegrown alternative to the widely used United States-manufactured HIMARS system.
Developed in secrecy over two years, the Foudre launcher system is designed for strategic mobility and firepower. Mounted on a three-axle military truck, the system includes an armoured cab and a launcher module for a pod carrying six guided missiles. Photos published by the French media outlet Challenges suggest the system could be compatible with existing U.S. munitions, raising questions over the claim that it is fully domestically produced. However, the interoperability offers an advantage to the French Army, which still uses U.S.-made LRU munitions.
If integrated with U.S. systems, Foudre could fire GMLRS rockets with a range of up to 80 kilometres and potentially use ATACMS or PrSM ballistic missiles to strike targets at 300 to 500 kilometres. This would depend on cooperation with U.S. arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which has not been confirmed.
French military officials, including the Army Command and the General Directorate for Armament (DGA), were introduced to the system months ago. The new launcher was also referenced in an April parliamentary report by MPs Jean-Louis Thiériot and Mathieu Bloch. The report considered Foudre a potential replacement for France’s ageing LRU systems — the French adaptation of the U.S. M270 tracked rocket launcher — which are due to be retired by the end of 2027.
France originally received its LRU systems in the 1990s. After donating four to Ukraine and stripping others for spare parts, the French military now operates only six or seven of these systems. Three are deployed to the NATO base in Cincu, Romania, where they contribute to collective defence on the alliance’s eastern flank.
As demand grows for modern precision artillery systems, France had previously explored purchasing systems from abroad, including India’s Pinaka. However, the development of Foudre represents a shift towards strengthening domestic defence capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign arms, particularly from the United States.
To complement the new launcher, France is working on producing its own guided munitions in cooperation with major defence firms such as Safran, MBDA, Thales, and the Ariane Group. The precision strike capability is expected to reach distances of up to 150 kilometres, giving France a significant boost in long range artillery firepower.
