Report: French Firm Pitches HIMARS Alternative as France’s MLRS Replacement
A mid-sized French firm will unveil a potential replacement for the French Army’s aging multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in June.
Called the Foudre, or lightning, the system has been developed by Neuilly-sur-Seine-based Turgis Gaillard over two years.
It is an interim replacement option for nine Lance-Roquettes Unitaires (LRU), a modified version of the M270 MLRS, set to retire in 2027.
Apart from the Foudre, other options include a costly life-extension for the LRUs, inducted in the 1990s, the US HIMARS, South Korea’s Chunmoo, or India’s Pinaka.
The Foudre
The French offering’s chassis is reportedly manufactured by Charente-based group subsidiary Graffeuille, while the final integration has been carried out by Sefiam in Lozère.
The Foudre is mounted on a Renault Trucks Kerax 6×6 chassis, making it lighter than 8×8 MLRS systems such as the South Korean Chunmoo, according to the French outlet Challenges.
Moreover, it doesn’t require stabilizing outriggers when firing, improving its deployment time.
Similar to the HIMARS, the Foudre is air-transportable on C-130 aircraft.
Firepower
Regarding firepower, the system features a configurable munition pod that can accommodate six 227 mm M31 rockets, which are also employed by the M270 and HIMARS.
Alternatively, it can be loaded with one MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, or two Precision Strike Missiles, or the PrSM.
The ATACMS has a maximum range of 300 kilometers (186 miles) while the PrSM can strike a target up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.
Furthermore, it is expected to be able to launch the future Land Cruise Missile, which is based on the anti-ship Naval Cruise Missile, with a range of around 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
Long-Term Replacement
Meanwhile, the French Directorate General for Armaments plans a domestic long-term replacement for the LRU.
A pair of French consortia — Safran and MBDA, and another of Thales and ArianeGroup — have been contracted to demonstrate the capability by mid-2026.
Projected as an alternative to the HIMARS, the system’s initial strike range is 150 kilometers (93 miles).
France has budgeted 600 million euros ($676 million) for the rocket-artillery program, Frappe Longue Portée Terrestre, according to Defense News.
It includes procuring around 13 systems by 2030 and 26 by 2025 to equip a battalion.
If development takes longer than expected, foreign options could also be considered.
