The companies said the system progressed from design to demonstration in 18 months, ahead of an upcoming decision on replacing France’s Lance-Roquettes Unitaires (LRU) systems. They added that THUNDART is currently the only European-developed system to demonstrate a strike range exceeding that of LRUs in service with the French Army.
The launch was carried out at the Île du Levant test range, where it validated both design and propulsion choices. MBDA said performance exceeded expectations, strengthening confidence in the system’s capabilities.
The propulsion system was developed by Roxel, a wholly owned subsidiary of MBDA, within just over a year. The companies also said the AASM guidance kit, developed by Safran and integrated into THUNDART, confirmed the rocket’s robustness in demanding conditions.
MBDA and Safran said the demonstration reflects close collaboration between the two companies and their partners. They added that the programme has been supported by targeted investment and adaptation to meet armed forces requirements, with initial operational systems planned by 2030.
The companies said THUNDART is designed as a sovereign European solution that can be scaled for mass production. It is supported by existing industrial infrastructure and a supply chain based entirely in France.
MBDA said it plans to invest €2 billion in France between 2026 and 2030 and expects to increase production by 40% in 2026 compared with 2025. Safran said it has already expanded production of its AASM systems significantly, producing four times as many units between 2022 and 2025.
Both companies said they are fully engaged in the next phase of the French Long-Range Land Strike programme. They added that more than 100 employees are currently involved in the project, which relies on a domestic supply chain across several regions.
MBDA and Safran are also considering the creation of a joint venture to support further development of THUNDART. They said future developments in long-range artillery could build on their combined expertise in deep-strike capabilities.
